Joseph Trembley

Joseph Andrew Trembley, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. On January 13, 1923, Andrew Trembley and his wife Annie Secord welcomed their first son into the world. Joe, called Andy by his family, grew up on a farm in southern Illinois near Lawrenceville. He began working the fields beside his father at the age of five, plowing with a two horse team. It was the beginning of his love for the land and agriculture. At the age of fourteen he took work in the steel mills and then enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served in Burma, India and China for four years earning nine battle stars and a Purple Heart. Joe returned to the states by way of Walker Air Field in the middle of Kansas and decided to stay. He was employed in law enforcement for a short time and then worked the oil fields. In 1956 he met Phyllis Trexler in Hill City, KS and they married in August of 1957. Joe and Phyllis moved to Syracuse, KS where Phyllis taught and Joe owned a gas station and auto shop and drove the bus for the school district. In 1961 Joe had the opportunity to return to the land when he and Phyllis bought a small farm on the Prairie Dog Creek between Rexford and Selden KS. As the farm grew so did their family with the birth of daughter, Andrea (Andie), in 1974. In 1989 the Trembleys moved to Colby, KS but Joe continued to farm and repair antique clocks. Joe's clock collection grew to over 400 items and he spent many years as the clock keeper of the Thomas County Courthouse clock tower. In the fall of 2012 Joe and Phyllis moved to Scott City to be near their daughter. Joe is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Andrea (Andie) Strong and her husband Greg Strong, sisters Ellen Weaver, May Seesengood and Nellie Shidler, nieces and nephews Barkley Walker, Brad Trexler, Lynn Bruton, Rich Prange, Dee Weaver, David Weaver, JoEllen Kruhn, Kay Anthrim, Deeanna Shidler and Debra Shidler and unadopted son Chad Focke and wife Mandy Focke and two unadopted granddaughters, Madison and MaKenlea Focke. He is proceeded in death by his parents and elder sister Marion Prange. A memorial service will be announced at a future time. Condolences can be sent to the Trembley family at 604 Russell, Scott City, KS. Memorials can be made to Camp Lakeside's Outdoor Education Program.