Joseph Martin Clennan, 94, of Topeka, died peacefully the evening of December 15, 2019.

Joe was born on June 4, 1925 (“A.D.,” he’d always add) in Hays, Kansas, the second of twelve children born to Vincent Clarence and Marie (Kelley) Clennan. In the early years, the young family moved to Chapman where Joe would grow up and he would attend Chapman High School. When World War II broke out, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was 17, following his junior year of high school. He served on a fuel tanker often deployed in Japanese waters. After his three-year enlistment, he returned to Chapman, finishing his senior year of high school and then went on to Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina, Kansas, where he met and successfully wooed the beautiful Zona Neaderhiser. They married on November 25, 1949, and had a family of their own: Kelley Joe was born August 22, 1952 and Kimberly Michelle followed October 3, 1957. They made their home in Salina, Kansas for the family’s first years.

Joe’s phenomenal social talents translated well into sales. During his lifetime, he sold insurance, Jewell Tea (taking the family to Hastings, Nebraska for four years), stainless steel pots and pans (resulting in a move to Topeka, Kansas for the remainder of his life-it was during this period when Joe’s sales abilities won many prizes and trips-once taking Zona to Hawaii, and Zona, Kelley and Kim to the Bahamas), industrial-strength chemicals, and ultimately an insulation material called radiant barrier. Sprinkled throughout his sales careers, he always sought out additional opportunities to support his family. His creativity could lead him to make interesting investments.

Joe also adored performing in theatre, actually starting with the character Hucklebee in The Fantasticks in the early 1960’s in Salina, a role he would reprise several times throughout his lifetime. In Topeka, he also appeared as Fagan in Oliver, Paco in Man of La Mancha, and Dr. Chumley in Harvey. As family and friends who knew him best can attest, Joe was the happiest when he was the center of attention and bringing joy to others around him.

When he was in his thirties, Joe taught himself how to perform ventriloquism and create animals out of balloons, gifts that he would be able to share over the years with so many people. He and his wife, Zona, would often hit the road for his performances-once even driving to Sturgis, South Dakota, for a performance during the annual motorcycle rally. Mom and Dad came back home wondering why there were so many people with motorcycles in town.
Joe and Zona’s immediate family consists of Kelley Joseph and wife Meg (Richmond, Virginia) and Kimberly Michelle (Topeka), and “adopted daughter,” Carol Holley (also Topeka). Joe adored his grandchildren, Leslie (Seattle, Washington), Haley (Jacksonville, Florida), Amanda (Richmond, Virginia), Tyler (Topeka, Kansas), and Travis (also Topeka). He loved hearing about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s adventures.

During Joe’s free time, he played a mean game of bridge. The family wishes to pay a special tribute to Dennis Berry and Tim Elmer who made sure he regularly made it to play bridge with men’s groups until just recently. Thank you SO much for taking such good care of Dad!

In lieu of any possible loving gifts of flower, etc., Joe’s family is asking that your financial contributions be made instead to Midland Care in Topeka.

A Celebration of his life will be held at St. Matthew’s Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10. 2020. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Dove Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

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