Joe E. McArdle

Joe E. McArdle, 78, of Ponca, NE passed away at his residence on Sunday, February 19, 2012.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, NE with Father David Liewer officiating. Burial will be in Calvary at South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca. Visitation with the family present will begin at the church at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 23, 2012, with a prayer service and rosary at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Joe was born in rural Martinsburg, NE on July 30, 1933, the son of Michael and Winifred (Walsh) McArdle.He attended grade school in Martinsburg and high school in Ponca, graduating in 1951. He married Carol Bauman on November 15, 1952 in Ponca, NE. Joe worked at various jobs before working for Brady's Market from 1960 to 1963. He purchased McArdle's Bar in 1964 and continued working with his son Rick, after Rick purchased the Bar in November of 1996. Joe was also the caretaker of Calvary at South Creek Cemetery for many years.Joe was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Ponca Fire Department and served a number of years on the Ponca Alumni Committee. He was also Days of '56 Parade Chairman and coached PeeWee baseball for a number of years.Joe enjoyed Nebraska football, old tractors and cars, high school sports and people. He has justifiably been referred to as a pillar of the community in Ponca.Survivors include his children, Joey McArdle and special friend, Kathy Galvin of Newcastle, NE, Rick McArdle and his fiance, Melinda Cory, Jeriann (Tim) Spillane, and Mark McArdle, all of Ponca; granddaughter, Sara Spillane of Ponca; brother, Paul McArdle of South Sioux City, NE; sister-in-law, Donna McArdle of South Sioux City, NE; and brother-in-law, Jim Bauman of Redding, CA.Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol in 2001; 9 brothers and sisters; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.