Joel Blobaum

Joel Blobaum, 54, Lenexa, Kansas, died Tuesday, January12, 2010.

Joel was born October 15, 1955, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Robert E. and Lois R. Blobaum. He graduated from Blair Senior High School in 1973, and the University of Nebraska in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. He worked at newspapers in Alliance, Nebraska, Pampa, Texas, Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Columbus, Nebraska, where he was the editor and met and married Melodee Hall, his wife, on September 5, 1982. He also worked at Mutual of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation in Lee's Summit. Most recently, he was the public information and communications manager for Johnson County, Kansas, a post he had held since January 2008.

Joel was an avid baseball fan, supporting both the Yankees and the Royals, and participating in fantasy baseball leagues. He was a loving father and husband, active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and enjoyed reading biographies and history.

Joel is survived by his wife, Melodee, Lenexa; son Andrew and girlfriend, Jill Gyulafia, Kansas City, Kansas; his mother, Lois, Blair, Nebraska; sister Cindy Kempcke (Bruce), Blair, Nebraska; brothers John, Omaha, Nebraska, David (Sara), Scottsdale, Arizona, and Robert, Morgantown, West Virginia; 11 nieces and nephews, and seven great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Blobaum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Blobaum Family Scholarship Fund; Blair Community Schools, P. O. Box 288, Blair, Nebraska 68008, Attention: Diana Spier; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Realizing the Promise Building Fund; or the charity of your choice.

Visitation and Memorial Service

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Road, Kansas City. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, also at the church.