Joseph R. Little

Joseph R. "Pete" Little, 83, of Walnut, passed away at 1:54 p.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas

Pete was born on February 24, 1938, to Raymond Joseph and Elsie Marie (Beech) Little in Walnut, Kansas.  He grew up and attended school in Walnut, graduating from St. Patrick High School in Walnut in 1956.

On April 23, 1957, Pete and Jolene Hammerbacher were united in marriage at St. Patrick Catholic Church at Walnut.  The couple lived their entire life in the Walnut area.  For 18 years, Pete worked at the Little Feed and Implement in Walnut, until opening the Little Repair Shop in 1974.  He also farmed in the Walnut area.

He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walnut, and was currently a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie.  Since 1964, he was the fire chief for Walnut Rural Fire.

A friend to anyone he met, Pete enjoyed spending time with and helping his family and friends.  He was always busy.  He enjoyed fixing up Moline tractors and going to tractor shows, making friends all over the country from the shows.

Survivors include:

His wife – Jolene, of the home

One son – Rick Little and his wife, Lyndy, of Walnut, Kansas

Five daughters – Shirley Herold and her husband, Dean, of Chanute, Kansas

Ginger Peters and her husband, Bob, of Pittsburg, Kansas

Maggi Pascal and her husband, Michael, of Wichita, Kansas

Carla Samsel and her husband, Eric, of Olivet, Kansas

Lois Winter and her husband, Keith, of Burrton, Kansas

Fifteen grandchildren – Cindy Bowers and her husband, Glenn; Jenny Klebe and her husband, CW; Jeremy Herold and his wife, Sarah; Nik Herold; Jessica Reading and her husband, Justin; Bryan Peters and his wife, Miwa; Matthew Peters and his wife, Maribel; Trevor Little and his wife, Emmalee; Michelle Pascal; Monte Pascal; Sutton Martin and his wife, Katy; Zane Martin and his wife, Amy; Abbie Fernandez and her husband, Jordan; Maddie Winter; and Wyatt Winter

Eighteen great-grandchildren – Jack and Anna Bowers; Sapphire Haddock and her husband, David; Bradley, Ava, Italy and Emma Klebe; Xander and Cruze Reading; Chaz Anderson; Malía Peters; Lynlee and Macee Little; Randi Martin; Kennedy Martin; Evan Johanning; Christian and Corbin Fernandez

Great-great grandson – Elijah Haddock

Two sisters – Nadine Popp of St. Joseph, Missouri

Mary Hand and her husband, Jim, of Lee's Summit, Missouri

He was preceded in death by one brother, Gene Little; two sisters, Alice Standfast and Marjorie Little.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walnut.  Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Walnut.  The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Monday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walnut.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Cemetery.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.