Joseph Weingardt Jr., 79, of Sterling passed away Saturday, October 8, 2016 in Ft. Morgan. Vigil and Rosary evening service will be at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Tennant Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 am Thursday, Oct. 13 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with Father Michael Bodzioch celebrating. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Joe was born on May 16, 1937 in Sterling, CO to Joseph and Elizabeth (Bauer) Weingardt Sr. He attended AtwoodSchool until it closed and he then attended St. Anthony's School, graduating in 1955. He played on the basketball and baseball teams. He married Violet Marie Lechman on November 16, 1957 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Sterling. They were married for 58 years. Joe was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Sterling Elks Lodge. He bowled in leagues for 24 years. He enjoyed playing cards and watching the Broncos, but most of all watching his grandchildren play sports. He farmed in Atwood, Merino, Iliff, and Sterling. Joe loved farming with his five sons and daughter. He farmed for the Lebsack Farms before farming for himself until he retired in 2002. Although being retired, he still farmed part time and worked for the Smart Brothers through the summer of 2016, usually swathing hay. The joy of his retirement was getting that call from the Smart Brothers to come to work. Joe is survived by his wife Violet M. Weingardt; sons Edward L. and wife Sandra of Thornton, CO, Steven and wife Julie of Florida, Rick and wife Sue of Sterling, Dan and wife Gina of Castle Rock, Kevin and wife Alice of Sterling; daughter Kimberly Weingardt of Sterling; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Ray and wife Lona of Greeley, Gene of Lakewood; sisters Patricia and husband Richard Kloberdanz of Sterling, Theresa and husband Matthew Dreitz of Sterling, Judy Raisch of Loveland, Irene Weingardt of Texas; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Jeannette Loos; brothers-in-law Donald Lechman and wife Nancy and Duwayne Lechman and wife Beth. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth Weingardt Sr., brother Lawrence, brother-in-law Adolph Loos, father and mother-in-law John and Barbara Lechman. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joe Weingardt Jr. Memorial Fund in care of Tennant Funeral Home, PO Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.