Joseph Walter Lennon

Joseph Walter Lennon

Born July 27, 1954, and passed peacefully, July 5, 2026, at the age of 71.

Joe was a beloved brother, father, grandpa, uncle, cousin, and friend. Joe was the third child of seven children, and one of three boys. He grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, where he attended Immaculate Heart of Mary, Catholic Central, and Aquinas College.

Growing up, Joe loved music. He listened to The Eagles, Loggins and Messina, and Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few. His sister Lisa would listen alongside, tapping her drumsticks. He had a love for nature and sound of thunderstorms. He always kept track of what the weather was like, in cities his family members lived in.

Joe always had a mind for dates and history, even until his last moments, he could recall endless supply of historical facts and stories. He once upon a time aspired to be a History Professor. His son, Josh, remembers watching the history channel with him on numerous occasions.

Cooking was an enjoyment and Joe would rather make meals from scratch then to pay for someone else to make it half as good. He also made homemade salsa, pickles, and chili, and he made sure they packed plenty of heat. Family members would always fall victim to his family potluck contributions, and he would laugh.

One of his favorite past times was Frisbee. He was one #81374, of the 93,000 original International Frisbee Association, players. Other hobbies were Backgammon, going to drive in movies, watching South Park, attending carnivals and demolition derbies, his full train setup, catching turtles, attempting to grow tomato plants, lighting off fireworks, watching planes take off and land at the GR Airport viewing area, and drinking Dr. Pepper and Miller High Life.

His children recall his twisted sense of humor, watching horror movies with them at a young age, causing nightmares. He also owned an old fashion game of Jarts, with the metal stake at the end. He figured it was a ‘survival of the fittest’ game. On the sweeter side, he always carried Big League Chew, Bazooka Gum, and Laffy Taffy. His grandkids nicknamed him Grandpa Taffy.

Joe is survived by four of his siblings, Katie Tuttle, John (Christy) Lennon, Patti (Don) Peck, and Jean (John) McNally. Four children, Sarah (Jeremiah) Merriman, Alexandria (Aaron) Schmoekel, Josh (Karla) Lennon, and Jordan (Doug) Furness. Eight grandchildren and one due in September. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Don and Fran Lennon, his two siblings, Lisa and Jim Lennon, and brother-in-law, John Tuttle.

His family is happy he came back to Michigan, after fifteen years of living in Oregon, and that he is now reunited with his good friends, Ricky Papa and Eric Gustafson ‘Gus’.

There will be no funeral, per Joe’s wishes. Please have a drink, in his honor, of either, Miller High Life or Dr Pepper.