Joel Warren Simank

Joel Warren Simank, 40, passed away and into the arms of Jesus on July 5, 2017, surrounded by the ones who loved him most. 1 Corinthians 5:8, John 3:16. 

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with burial to follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery.  Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m., Monday, July 10, 2017, at the funeral home.

Joel Simank was born September 6, 1976, in Taylor. He was raised in Rockdale and Thorndale by his loving parents. 

Joel enjoyed a number of things, but he fell in love with sports at and early age and his competitive nature only grew as he got older. He helped the Bulldogs win three state championships while attaining countless accolades in other sports along the way. Sometimes known as white lightning during competition, he was just as fast in the romance department. He started a family with his high school sweetheart and they had three boys. Payton, Jayden, and Hayden were his pride and joy and he loved them dearly. Joel shared in the boy’s passions and like most parents, he bragged about them often. 

Besides being a parent, Joel enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Being around his family is where his heart was and what made him happiest. It's also where he made others happy. You saw it when the kids ran up for a hug from Uncle Joel or when he scooped them up for a kiss and a hug. 

Joel was a big kid himself. He never stopped trying to entertain even if it meant blaming a family member for passing gas. He didn't just try to enjoy life he made sure he enjoyed it to the extreme. His spirit and personality made him the life of the party and we will never forget that. We will also never forget his cowboy hat, his boots, and his extra, extra, extra, extra...starched jeans. Jeans that literally stood up by themselves. His attire wasn't complete though until he smiled...or made a goofy face in every picture! When they (family) couldn't stop him from doing it, they finally joined him. 

Joel was a hardworking man. Whether it was taking care of plants, umpiring baseball, or going the extra mile for his employer, he gave it 100. His boss Mike Martinez visited the family a few days ago and let them know how much he'd be missed and what he meant to the company. This says a lot for a man who had come a long way. 

I hope everyone can and will remember Joel as a loyal friend, a caring brother, a devoted son, and most importantly, a loving father. 

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Fred L. and Mable Marie Simank; maternal grandparents, Walter Clyde and Wilma Jean Jones; and uncle, Bobby Simank.

Joel is survived by his mother, Sharon Wilkinson; father, Billy and Rhonda Simank; his sons, Payton, Jayden, and Hayden Simank; his siblings, John Simank and wife Kristy, Jeanie Simank, Jennifer Simank, Justin Simank and wife Naomi, Jason Simank, Jill Eschberger and husband Todd, Janeann Bland and husband Ashaley, David Cooper, Jason Cooper and wife Lisa, and Cathy Anna Barnes and husband John; nieces and nephews, Eli, Mycah, Avery and Mason Simank, Graysen, Gwyneth, Tytus and Joy Simank, Jacey Simank, Alyssa and Dru Jakubowski, Ashtyn Simank, Wyatt, Tucker and Jaxson Eschberger, Addyson, Jameson and Hudson Bland, Reagan and Preston Cooper, and Dustin, Amber, Jensen and Tristen Cooper; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.