Joseph A. Joe Larkin, 78, died July 9, 2011 at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born April 10, 1933 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Katherine Larkin. He married Patricia Weinberger August 25, 1936 at Council Bluffs. She died December 22, 2005. A land man, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for thirty-one years and for Champlin Oil Co., Denver, Colorado, and other private oil companies. He was Great Bend resident for four years, coming from Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Larkin was a United States Navy veteran. Mr. Larkin was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, the church choir, Kiwanis Club, Golden Belt Model Railroad Association, Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Kansas Family Health Care Board of Directors, Silver Cougar Club Board, Barton County Historical Society, Golden Belt Community Concert Association, and Friends of the Great Bend Zoo at Brit Spaugh Park, all of Great Bend; and NRA and AAPL-Americas Landman. He also served on several governors committees for the states of Colorado and Iowa. Survivors include one son, Mark Larkin, Castle Rock, Colorado; two daughters: Deborah Rush, Lone Tree, Colorado; and Lori Ann Mertens and husband Dwight, Punta Gorda, Florida; daughter-in-law, Karen Holbrook, Littleton, Colorado; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; companion, Iva Behrens, of the home; his beloved dog, Taco; and beloved cat, Pixie. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Larkin; and cousin, John Jack Hall. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Father Reginald A. Urban will be celebrant. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, in care of the funeral home.