Joseph E. "Joe" Esfeld, 82, died December 15, 2008 at his Great Bend, Kansas, residence. He was born December 24, 1925 at Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Fred and Frances (Monger) Esfeld, Sr. He married Carol Rychlec August 28, 1950 at Enid, Oklahoma. She died April 8, 2001. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Mr. Esfeld was the owner and operator of Joe Esfeld Excavating since 1974, retiring in 1999. He was a World War II veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Esfeld was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111, and the American Legion Argonne Post 180, all of Great Bend. Survivors include one son: Joseph E. "Bert" Esfeld, Jr., Great Bend, Kansas; two daughters: Beverly Cross and husband, Mark, Pawnee Rock, Kansas; and Mary Jo Esfeld, Pawnee Rock, Kansas; two brothers: George Esfeld, Great Bend, Kansas; and Maurice Dutch Esfeld, Dodge City, Kansas; two sisters: Agatha Reeves, Malvern, Arkansas; and Catherine Birzer, Ellinwood, Kansas; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one brother, Fred "Fritz" Esfeld, Jr. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend. Father Floyd McKinney will be celebrant. Interment was held at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Seward, Kansas, Monday, December 15, 2008. There will be no visitation. Memorials are requested to the Prince of Peace Parish, V. F. W. Post #3111, or the American Legion Argonne Post 180, all in care of Bryant Funeral Home.