Joseph M. Krentz Jr

March 22, 2021, the day the demons stopped for Joseph Michael Krentz Jr. Joe was born on December 2, 1972, and loved everyone he met, gave the shirt off his back for anyone he met, and was an amazing dad to Joey, D’vorah, Grandpa to Braison, and husband to Abigail; former wife, Pamela. He also is survived by a brother Greg and sister Elizabeth, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his Mother Marilyn and Father Joseph Sr.  Joe spent 6 years in the Army as a M60A3 Armor Crew Member and a Combat Medical Specialist. He was very proud of his time in the Army, made many friends who he always kept in touch with. Joe love everything Disney and spent many trips with family down “Visiting the mouse” as he would always say. He could tell you where he saw his grandma get a hug from a character on her first visit like it happened the day before. Joe also loved to camp, work with the Scout programs, and had a seasonal site where he spent his days off during the summer. His kids were his world, and a day didn’t go by where Joey needed his car fixed and he called Dad to ask how to fix it. Joe absolutely loved his daily calls of guessing what Joey did. Joe liked going to the Denmark Tractor Pulls and going to see Monster trucks, Gravedigger was his favorite truck.  Joe was one of the absolute nicest human beings on the planet, with a streak of lovable a-hole in him. Yep, I said it, but that’s what he called himself everyday. He’s left us with way more questions than answers, but I know he would want us to be happy again, in a way he just couldn’t be. 

We are not going to sugarcoat this obituary, Joe took his own life. Depression and PTSD are nasty diseases, and many suffer alone not knowing where to go for help, how to ask for help, or don’t want to seem weak so they suffer alone. We should be taking this time to bring attention to something that most people want to just sweep under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist. The hole that is left behind after a person does this can never fully be repaired, and help exists. 800-273-8255 will get you help, anyone reading this will get you help. If his death can stop even one person from feeling like this was the only outcome available, then maybe all the suffering we are going through may be worth it.  

As we mourn and grieve Joe, know he is at peace now, and in pain no longer. His demons are gone, and we, as a big family need to support and lift one another up. There is a fund started to help with all the costs, and anything left over will be split between his two kids. 

The Funeral Service will be on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Iola Car Show Campground, in the barn, E2196 Johansson Rd, Iola.  Friends and family may gather on Friday before the service from 11 a.m. until the time of the Service. I ask that if you come, bring a story to share about Joe typed out or written on paper. Print a picture or two if you have it that we can include as well, as a book will be compiled with all his memories for his kids and grandkids to read as they grow up without him. If you would like to mail one, please contact Abbey. 

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