Joseph Thomas Stoeber

Joseph Thomas Stoeber, a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026. He was 86.

Joe was born March 7, 1939, in Del Norte Colorado to Garhart Ernest Stoeber and Hulda Mary (Schilling) Stoeber. Joe met the love of his life, Chiriya Kemp, at the Columbine Restaurant in Gunnison and they were married on May 30, 1970, in Gunnison, Colorado. They had four children, Thomas, Geoffrey, John, and Monica.

Joe grew up on the family farm in Hooper, Colorado in a large family as one of 21 brothers and sisters. He graduated from Hooper High School in 1959. Joe enlisted into the U.S. Airforce, serving from March 1963 to October 1966. Joe served with the Air Force fire department, spending a year and a half overseas in France. Upon release from the military Joe went to work for his brother-in-law Harry “Pete” Peterson on his ranch in Parlin, Colorado. During this time Joe also worked for Wayne Allison Drilling and Bob Carr Construction.

In 1968 Joe went to work for the RE1J School District in Gunnison as a custodian at Ruland Junior High School and retired after 20 years of service. Joe also went into business for himself, starting and operating his own cleaning business, Joe’s Cleaning and Services. In the mid 1980’s he started another company called Stoeber’s Desert Rain, installing sprinkler systems and doing yard maintenance all over the Gunnison Valley.

Joe was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church as well as the Knights of Columbus. He was always up for traveling to watch his kids play sports including football, basketball and softball. He had an extensive record collection, enjoyed woodworking, projects around the house, camping and spending time with family.

Joe is survived by Chiriya – his wife of 55 years, his children, Thomas Stoeber, Geoffrey Stoeber, John Stoeber all of Gunnison, Monica Stoeber of Longmont, grandson Joseph Stoeber of Gunnison, Joseph’s mother Pamela, and her children Jacob, Joshua, Hannah, Mary, and Rachel, and siblings: Bernice Feck, Midge Gallihugh, Mike Stoeber, Leola Geiser, Liana McKinley and Robert (Bobby) Stoeber as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: James Beiriger, Bertha Plane, Theresa Langston, Ernest Stoeber, Patricia Haefeli, Hugo Stoeber, Edward Stoeber, Fr. Charles Stoeber, Mae Peterson, George Stoeber, Bessie Beiriger, Floyd Beiriger, Josephine Beiriger, and Emma Stoeber.

There will a viewing at 3:30 pm and Rosary at 6:00pm on Friday, February 20, 2026 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gunnison. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 21, 2026 also at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A reception will be held following the Funeral Mass at St Peter’s Catholic Church Parish Hall. A graveside service will be at a later date in Gunnison.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Gunnison Hospice Care through the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation or to the Gunnison Pioneer Museum in Joe’s memory.