Joe Emery Cobaugh, 74, of Ogallala, passed away on January 21, 2023, at his home in Ogallala.
Joe was born on February 6, 1948, to Cecil and Kathyrine (Bowers) Cobaugh, in Ogallala, NE. Joe graduated from Ogallala High School.
Joe entered the U.S. Navy after high school and served in Vietnam. Following his discharge from the Navy, he lived primarily in California. In September of 1986, Joe met Cindy Alexander. The two were later married on May 25, 1987, and they made their home in Southern California.
Joe worked as a machinist for a number of years before working as a longshoreman. Following his retirement, the couple moved to Nebraska to be closer to family and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Joe was a people person and loved to laugh and tell jokes. People loved to be around him, though he was a bit of an ornery jokester. Joe loved keeping track of his favorite sports teams, which included the Cornhuskers, Packers, and Yankees.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Cec and Katy Cobaugh; granddaughter, Jaylyn Castaneda; siblings, Myrna, Leonard, Bill, and LaRene Jurgena; sister-in-law, Barbara Cobaugh; brothers-in-law, Les Potts and Johnny Seffron; parents-in-law, Bill and Dorie Alexander.
Survivors include his wife Cindy of Ogallala; three stepsons, Ernest, Steven, and Bryan Castaneda; five grandchildren, JaNay (Cody) Papka, Ernest III, Eric, Antonio, Nickolas Castaneda; three great-grandchildren, Gabriel Ortiz, Jace Castaneda, Gianna Papka; siblings, Jan (Rich) Adrien, Joyce Seffron, Patty (Don) Fuqua, Gary Cobaugh, Tony Cobaugh (DebTobler), Karen Potts; siblings-in-law, Debbra (Chris Kramer) Alexander and Billy (Michele) Alexander; five stepchildren from a previous marriage; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial has been established in Joe's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.
Funeral services will be on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala, with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Interment will follow in the Ogallala Cemetery with Military Honors.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.