Joe Earl Stewart, age 69, of Los Banos, California (formerly of Manistee, Michigan) passed unexpectedly into eternity on October 4, 2025. Joe was born in Steele, Missouri on June 12, 1956 to James (L.C.) and Geneva Stewart. The family moved to Michigan in 1966 and Joe graduated from Manistee High School with the class of 1975. He then joined the U.S. Navy and served for approximately 20 years, including several tours overseas. He received numerous awards, including Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Gold Wreath Award, Navy Achievement Medal, Battle "E" Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, a letter of commendation and two good conduct medals.

Joe always enjoyed life to the fullest and was well-loved by family and friends. He attended family gatherings as often as possible, including driving across the country several times to visit his daughters in Colorado and Georgia and for events in Michigan. He had many close cousins in California who he visited regularly. Family was very important to Joe and he made that known to all of them via phone calls and visits whenever possible.

Joe always looked for the best in people and kept his arms open to others. He was never afraid of hard work and spent many years working for a Kinkaid Gallery in northern California following his retirement from the Navy. He also welcomed family and friends who would visit and enjoyed taking them to Redwood National Forest and Golden Gate Bridge Park, to explore nearby areas, meeting them for dinner, etc.

Joe leaves behind many family members to cherish fond memories of him; daughters, Sonya Lee Spahn of Denver, Colorado and Terrell Robinson of Mableton, Georgia; siblings, John Henry Donald, J.C. Stewart, Bobbie Jones, James E. (Vicki) Stewart, Don L. (Dawn) Stewart, Johnnie Stewart, Sherman (Terra) Stewart and Charles Stewart, and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and cousins he remained close with all through his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Geneva Stewart, and siblings, Willie Lee Donald and Dorothy Ann Stewart.

The family will receive friends at the Herbert Funeral Home, 706 Kosciusko Street, Manistee, Michigan on Friday, June 12th from 1:00-2:00 p.m., followed by a private family interment service.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee has coordinated arrangements.