Joseph E. “Shorty” Kestner, son of the late Joseph Kestner and Birdie Scates Kestner, was born on February 4, 1927 in Dudley, Missouri and departed this life on December 8, 2014 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff at the age of 87.

Mr. Kestner was a member of the Pleasant Grove Church in Dexter and was a resident of Dexter.  He retired from the Missouri Pacific Railroad and was a veteran of the United States Navy.

On September 30, 1950, he was united in marriage to Jo Ann Griffin in Piggott, Arkansas.   Mrs. Kestner preceded him in death on October 20, 2006.

He is survived by one daughter, Debbie Kestner of Dexter; by one son, Michael Douglas Kestner of Honolulu, Hawaii; by one granddaughter, Ceceli Moon and by one great-grandson, Joseph Greer.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry P. Kestner and Franklin “Carl” Kestner.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, December 22, 2014 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. 

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Bishop Ronnie Webb officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Dudley Cemetery.