Joseph Richard Bistline's Obituary
We are celebrating a life well lived – to remember all the smiles and laughter he shared with us all.
Joseph or as affectionately known as “JR” was born in Great Bend, Kansas on the 26th of December in 1937 to Richard George Bistline and Margaret Faye Johnston.
He passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones on the 7th of October 2025.
Being known as “The Cat” he met and courted the love of his life in high school showing off with his black hair in a “duck tail” cut and his glass packs in his Fire Engine Red 47’ Chevrolet two door coupe. He then went on to marry Emma Louisa Peeler on the 8th of June 1956 – recently celebrating 68 years of marriage – with many years of love, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and numerous life events.
After marrying the love of his life and then being nick named “Lil Gus” at Townley’s Dairy in Del City, Oklahoma, he worked his way through College at the University of Oklahoma. Being one of the most creative fathers to us four girls and foster children. He mowed areas in the fields behind our house so we could ride our bikes and provided hay bales for archery. He loved a lot of things, OU football, tennis, running at 3 am in the rain, sleet or snow, drag boat races, evening family bike rides with banana seats, archery, car shows, car races, military air shows and Saturday night burgers with Charlie Chips.
Once he graduated from OU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in May 1962, he started working for the Internal Revenue Service and continued his career there for over 4 decades. In 1978 we relocated to Richardson, Texas where he continued his career with the IRS until his retirement, but he continued to work for his Son-in-law David and daughter Sharla’s business for over 30 years.
Of course, we could go on and on as to how amazing, and what a wonderful person he was, but most of all he lived this perfect life with love, he was our pillar of strength, wealth of knowledge and encouragement for others, but he loved his family most of all.
He is proceeded in death, by his loving spouse of 68 years, Emma Louisa Peeler Bistline, parents, Richard and Margaret Bistline. Sibling’s: Lois Ann Bistline Singer, Harold “Hal” Joe Singer, and Shirley Hunter. Great-Great Granddaughter, RyLynn Grace Hatley, Grandson in Law Eric Davis, and Foster Daughter Charlotte Guerrero.
He is survived by his sister’s; Kay Bistline Capps, Jan Bistline Hunter, Sister in Law; Glenda Peeler Redman; Daughters; Vicki Moore, husband Chris; Dayna LaPoma; Sharla Hatton, husband David; Tina Bistline, husband Bryan Ator, Foster Daughter Kim Guerrero. Thirteen Grandchildren, Twelve Great Grandchildren and 15 Great-Great Grandchildren and too many to mention additional loving family members.
The service will be on October 25th at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church located at 1220 West Beltline Road, Richardson, Texas. With Visitation from 10-11; and the service immediately following.
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