Joseph Barella

Memorial Services for Joseph Arthur Barella, 90, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at Bustard's Funeral Home, 600 C.Y. Ave. in Casper, with his eldest son, Earl ‘Allen' Barelle, officiating. Interment will be held at a family plot at Douglas Park Cemetery at a later date. A private family viewing will also be held at an earlier date prior to the memorial services, before cremation takes place. A reception will be held at the Parkway Plaza, 123 W. East St. in Casper, immediately following the Memorial Services at Bustard's Funeral Home. Joseph was surrounded by his family at his bedside when he peacefully fell asleep in death at his home on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, following a lengthy illness. Joseph was born April 1, 1923, to Joseph Simon and Genevieve (Crain) Barella. He was the brother of Mary B. (Barella) Singer (deceased), Luke Anthony Barella, Gloria Louise (Barella) Phillips, Louis Alexander Barella (deceased), Frank Claude Barella, Delores (Barella) Key, Simon Anthony ‘Jerry' Barella (deceased), and Barbara Ann (Barella) Hanrahan. Joseph's long marriage to Laurella ‘Cindy' Madeline (Simpson) Barelle (Nymeyer), produced many children of whom he was most proud. However, at the time of getting the marriage certificate, the clerk unbeknownst to them had typed in Barelle instead of Barella and thus were ‘legally' born the Barelle children. He later married, LaVerne J. Davis Barella (deceased), and together they spent many happy times out on their ‘Last Chance' Ranch with their cattle and several special horses. You could often hear him singing that old ‘Cattle Call' by Eddy Arnold. Joseph battled ‘Age' like a ‘Champion'. In fact, when he was suffering the start of a major heart attack, instead of calling 911 and summoning an ambulance, he calmly dressed himself and called the R C Cab who then rushed him to Wyoming Medical Center instead. Of course, his family was shocked by this action, but it was Joseph's feeling that there might have been someone else in those moments in worse shape than him who might have needed the ambulance more and he didn't want to take that life saving avenue away from them. Shortly after that incident, when he was then told that he had only three to six months left to live due to his medical condition, he replied, "Don't cut me short, Doc!" And, his sheer will and determination gave him three additional years which caused the Cardiologists and Specialists to ask for a little of what he had been drinking. They called him the ‘Miracle Man'. During those three additional years of life that he fought for, he was able to add to his many life experiences and memories by going on one last ‘big hunt' in the mountains around Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with a few of his sons, their wives, and a few of his grandsons. He was also able to accompany several members of his family back to his ol' stomping grounds in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a visit there. These too became special memories that he often reflected on for both joy and strength as his condition continued to decline. After his diagnosis and his expressions of his final wishes to his son's David and Allen, he then went on to further ask them if they would please give him their word that he would be able to live out the rest of his remaining days at home in his ‘Castle'. Yet, he then also added that they only accept and complete this request to the best of their abilities. His sons did ‘just so'. This took cooperation. So, along with his other children and grandchildren, they all pitched in to make his home bound days as comfortable as possible. When it became evident that more extended 24/7 care was needed in order for him to be able to remain at home in his own ‘Castle', his granddaughter, April (Barelle) Zurn, and her husband J. J., volunteered to move into the private downstairs apartment of his home. This was a true labor of love since it became a substantial period of time, but they willingly made the loving sacrifice for ‘Grandpa'. His granddaughter, Desire (Barelle) Barnes, also provided additional support with day shift care for him. A stranger was just a friend that he had never met, as many who came to know him appreciated. On any given day, you might see him in downtown Casper at Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters talking with Louis Taubert about why he needed new boots. Perhaps, he would be down at The Red & White Café for breakfast or at Don Juan's Restaurant for lunch busily giving each ‘staff' a proper ‘hard time' or maybe even at the Rialto Barber Shop for a ‘feathered around the ears' haircut. There were many times that he would pack up his guitar and his accordion that he fondly called his ‘squeeze box', put on his Stetson hat, leather tasseled jacket, and ostrich boots to head over to the "Eagles" for another ‘Concert'. He liked to brag about being the ‘First Act' booked at the Casper Events Center, when he was featured playing that ‘squeeze box' on the main floor for an article in the Casper Star Tribune concerning the final progress of the Events Center. At that time, he was working for a construction contractor and no doubt he felt right at home with both his tools and his musical instruments. Being a man of many faces, he would also volunteer for many charitable causes. In fact, once when a sheepherder became lost, he loaded up ‘Spot', the family hound dog, and away he went to help wherever he could. That too was featured in an article in the Casper Star Tribune. The following is a small snapshot of some additional accomplishments in the life of Joseph Arthur Barella: He served as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, Third Class, in the United States Navy. He was stationed in the Pacific and served in ‘The Battle Of The Coral Sea' and ‘The Battle Of Midway'. In addition, he was also awarded the ‘Victory Medal' in World War II. His professional career included being a retired Iron Worker with Local Union # 454. From the West to the East Coasts and from Canada to Texas, Joseph would use his skills as a ‘Connector' on the ‘Raising Gang' to help erect the structural steel on multiple story sky scrapers. He was an ‘Iron Man' just as is depicted in a current series on ‘The Weather Channel'. He often even spoke of how he had shared in the construction of the Transamerica Building in San Francisco, California. In the days before ‘Safety Enforcement', he would often ride ‘The Ball' on the end of a crane to the top of a structure to start a new day. International Construction Companies would call him by name to ‘Push Crews'. Nicknamed, ‘Diego Joe', he excelled in his trade and enjoyed the work, except for one aspect. Ironworkers were also the trade that installed ‘re-bar' which is used as a tensioning device in reinforced concrete and in reinforced masonry holding the concrete in compression. They would install this in engineered design patterns. And, he would often comment that he was not a ‘Crochet Ironworker'! In addition, all who have known Joseph will remember his ‘Stories', his ‘Colgate Smile', his ‘Generosity', and his unique love of life. He was always happily putting off any worrying until tomorrow, just so that he could enjoy living each day to the fullest. And, one of his favorite sayings was, ‘A Few Kind Words And A Little Patience, Please'. Yes, Joseph will be sorely missed by all of his family and, no doubt, by many others that knew him, as well. Joseph is also survived and/or deceased by: His oldest daughter, Joanne, from a previous marriage. His eldest son, Earl ‘Allen' Barelle, and his wife, Michele Kay, currently residing in Gillette. And, grandchildren: Andrea Dawn Barelle-Greene, Adrienne Janell Wentz Brown and Justin Thomas Wentz. His daughter, Brenda Kay Barelle, of Phoenix, Ariz. And, grandchildren: Pamela Cherie (Dangel) Buser, Robert James Dangel, Madalin Elaine Dangel, Richard Allan Dangel, Chrystal Mandalyn (Dangel) Arias, and Rory Adamson Dangel. His son, Joseph ‘David' Barelle, and his wife, Jeanette ‘Jeanie' Marie, of Casper. And, grandchildren: April Nichole Zurn, Dustin Ryan Barelle, Desire DeAnn Barnes, Shannon Marie Carranza, Adam Wayne Barelle, Shawn Michael Manning, Dustin James Manning, and Brianna Michelle Shadle. His daughter, Lisa Ann Adelman and her husband, Matthew ‘Matt' Wayne Adelman, of Douglas. And, grandchildren: Alisha Michelle Carver, Jennifer Elizabeth Adelman and Brandie Nichole Adelman. His son, Gary Louis Barelle and his wife, Anita, of Casper. And, grandchildren: Brian Louis Amadeus Barelle, Jessica Dawn Ima Marts, Cherise Brianna Hecht and Brandon Barelle. His son, Stephen Michael Barelle (deceased). And, grandchildren: Shawn Michael ‘Moose' Barelle (deceased), Sascha Marie Barelle, Stephen Allen Michel Barelle, Brandon Lee (Brunner) Barelle, Sequoia Barelle (deceased), Tyler Joseph Barelle and Matthew David Allen Barelle. And, numerous great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Luke Barella, Frank Barella, David Barelle, Gary Barelle, Matt Adelman, and J.J. Zurn. Joseph's family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and other care professionals, and hospice personnel who aided in his care. Their deep appreciation for all of the many acts of kindness shown cannot fully be expressed in words.

Service

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 2:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601