Joseph P. Ismert, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, inventor, entrepreneur, and man of faith, was holy and hard working. He passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, next to his bride and with his family nearby.

On the winter solstice of 1952, Joe was born the 3rd son of 13 to Martin Edward Jr. and Katherine Rosemary Ismert. In 1974, he married the love of his life, Deborah Ann, beginning a marriage and family that would become the center of his life. Together, Joe and Debbie raised ten children: Joe (Erica), Dominic (Catherine), Sarah (Karl), Brian (Nichole), Sheila (Chris), Tim (Kailey), James (Natalie), Mary (Stephen), Johnny (Megan), and Addie, and were blessed with 38 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Joe built Sioux Chief Manufacturing and a family of other companies from the ground up, with his devoted brother Mike and later his family, establishing a legacy of innovation, hard work, and entrepreneurship that will continue through the generations. An inventor at heart, Joe held numerous patents throughout his career and took great pride in finding practical solutions to difficult problems. And throughout his life, he was a mentor to many.

His accomplishments, however, were never what defined him most. Joe’s greatest pride was his family.

Joe was a man of strong Catholic faith, who served in action more than words and generously supported numerous causes throughout his life, particularly those connected to the Catholic Church and the pro-life movement. His faith shaped the way he approached his family, his business, and his responsibility to others.

He was an Eagle Scout, and all of his sons followed in his footsteps by becoming Eagle Scouts. He believed strongly in teaching his children to work hard, serve others, and live according to their faith.

He also had a great love for baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals. He enjoyed the game not only as a spectator but as a player. Joe attended many fantasy baseball trips - jersey name "Papa Joe" - creating memories and friendships around a game he loved.

He cherished simplicity - and spent as much time as he could at the lake, star gazing, bird watching, pitching shoes, and late night trivia with family and friends.

But perhaps the place Joe was happiest was not a boardroom or a baseball stadium or on a lake house deck. It was in front of the Sunday stove, making biscuits and gravy and piles of bacon and potatoes and eggs and secret sauces for his family and friends.

Joe leaves behind a legacy far greater than the companies he built or the inventions he created - a wife and a family shaped by his faith, work ethic, generosity, humor, and love. His greatest creation was the family he and Debbie built together.

All services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Rd, KCMO, on Friday, September 11, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9:30am with the Rosary prayed at 11am. The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow the Rosary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorial Contributions in honor of Joe to the organizations that were near and dear to him: St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Bishop Sullivan Center, and/or Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Joe will be deeply missed, remembered, and forever present in the lives of the many people he loved.

The family extends special thanks to his caretakers : Joseph, Sosten, and Elmira.

May his memory be eternal, and may he rest in peace in Christ's Heavenly Kingdom. We love you Dad.