Joseph Urban

Joseph A. Urban, born November 6, 1911 in Gonzales County, TX, oldest son of Mary Ann Raska and Joseph James "Big Joe" Urban went home to be with his Lord on June 15, 2009 in Houston, TX. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 54 years Muriel K.T. "Mornie" Urban, sister Carrie Kiefer, brother-in-law Arthur Kiefer, brother-in-law Jack Hart, sister-in-law Ruby Urban, sister-in-law Bernadine Wolf, brother-in-law Bob Wolf, sister-in-law Pauline Brymer, brother-in-law Robert Turner, sister-in-law Ann Turner, son-in-law Max Steinhauser, and brother-in-law Richard Turner. He leaves behind him a loving family: brother Milton Urban, sister Elsie Hart, sister-in-law Genevieve Turner, daughters Micki Steinhauser and Janet Butterwick, son-in-law Dan Butterwick, grandchildren Margaret and Jim Heath, Julie and Daniel Steinhauser, Bill and Robyn Steinhauser, Katy Butterwick and Jaime González, and great-grandchildren Felicia, Max, Sophie, Jeffrey, Cleo, and Lily. Joe came from a farming family outside Dilley, TX. As a young adult, he served in the National Guard and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he helped to build facilities at Palmetto State Park. He was working in the oil fields when he met Mornie at a fundraiser for the school where she taught his younger brother, Milton. The two were married on June 12, 1936 in Port Arthur, TX and made their home in the house Joe built in Orange, TX. A skilled pipefitter, Joe volunteered for service in WWII but was disqualified due to a childhood eye injury. He did his part for the war effort at the shipyards in Orange. Following the war, he took a job at DuPont, worked there for 30 years, and was a proud charter member of Local Union 195 of Beaumont. Joe was a strong man with a gentle heart who loved fixing things, hosting spectacular "weenie roasts" for his grandkids, watching sports, hunting, and fishing. A memorial service was held on June 20, 2009 in Flatonia, TX, and he was laid to rest next to Mornie at Oak Hill cemetery in Flatonia. Should you wish to honor Joe's memory, the family requests that you send donations to organizations that provided him such loving care: Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood, Houston, TX, 77025; Solari Hospice, 6800 West Loop South, Suite 250, Bellaire, TX, 77401; or a charity of your choice.
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