Joe Ralph Holmes, 87, of De Soto died Dec. 17, 2021, at Fountainbleau Nursing Home in Crystal City. Mr. Holmes was a truck driver for Yellow Freight. He was a member of the Church of Christ in De Soto and enjoyed working and showing horses and spending time with his family. Born July 28, 1934, in Newport, Ark., he was the son of the late Myrtle Lou Ruby (Johns) and Ralph Clark Holmes. He was preceded in death by his wife: Betty Joyce (Baker) Holmes.
He is survived by four children: John Charles Schultz of Columbia, Danny Ray (Barbara) Holmes of O’Fallon, Joey Ralph (Raejean) Holmes of De Soto and Cathy Jo (Steve) Buck of St. Peters; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by a son: Charles Michael “Mike” Holmes.
A funeral service was held Dec. 23 at Mahn Funeral Home in De Soto. Burial was in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. Louis County. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.