Joe Neil Steward

Joe Neil Steward, age 68 of Louisville, Tennessee, died on Friday, September 16, 2011 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville after an extended illness. He was born on December 21, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Ivan and Fern (Hayes) Steward. Joe was an active member of the Beech Grove Baptist Church. He graduated from the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1960 and then attended Southern Illinois University majoring in Theater.Joe left Southern Illinois and lived in California for 20 years and later moved to Montana for 18 years. He resided in Tennessee for the past 13 years. Joe authored and published six novels during his retirement. Joe is survived by Marita Ann Weaver of Louisville, TN and other distant relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Fern (Hayes) Steward.Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 pm, Monday, September 19, 2011 at the St. John's Cemetery near Dongola with Nancy Carrington Schmidt officiating. Friends may call at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday, September 19 from 1 until 2:30 pm. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the BGBC Family Life Center, 1519 Topside Road, Louisville, TN 37777 or St. John's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 127, Dongola, IL 62926 or to the charity or organization of choice. Please honor the request for no flowers.