Joseph Mentlick

Joseph (Joe) Anthony Mentlick, 77, of Colby, died Friday, January 8, 2021, at Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center, Denver, CO. He was born September 21, 1943, in Colby, KS to Joseph and Bonnie (Haremza) Mentlick.

Joe graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1961, and married Jane Havel on June 20, 1961, in Atwood. Joe studied for one year at McCook Community College before returning to the family farm to begin his career as a farmer. After that, Joe and Jane moved to Colby and he continued to be involved with the farming community by delivering products such as fuel and fertilizer.

In his spare time, Joe enjoyed hunting and working on projects in his garage. He was passionate in his support of Northwest Kansas Special Olympics and, with Jane, was named the Volunteer of the Year in 2011. Joe and Jane were instrumental in establishing the Northwest Kansas Truck Convoy for the Special Olympics in 2007 in Colby and continued to be active in this annual event.Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Sons of the American Legion. Joe was a true patriot; he believed in the Constitution and loved the American Flag. Above all, Joe loved his family and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he often said if he “knew grandkids were so much fun he would have had them first.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Joe and Gertrude Havel.

He is survived by his wife Jane; children, Debbie (Wayne) Luckert, Denise Mentlick, Tony (Stacey) Mentlick, Cindi (David) Stitt, and Greg Mentlick; 9 grandchildren, Sara (Brad) Owen, Ryan (Jaymie) Luckert, Aaron Luckert, Megan (Tim) Zerr, Julie (Brad) Kabel, Brian Mentlick, Brandon (Jeannine fiancé) Domsch, Crystin (Bryan) Domsch-Lewis, and Ashton (Dusty) Baker and 16 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Ayden, Rylee, Tess and Emery Owen, Lawson, Landry and Ledger Luckert, Claudia and Clara Zerr, Bladin Domsch, Aria, Emma, Maverick and Ember Domsch-Lewis and Deke Baker.

Visitation is 1-5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, and will be live streamed on the Sacred Heart Facebook page. The family requests face masks be worn and social distancing observed at the services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the NWKS Special Olympics and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.

A Celebration of life convoy will be held at a later date. The family wants everyone to stay safe and healthy through this difficult time.