Robert (Joe) Joseph Musson

Robert (Joe) Joseph Musson passed away Sunday, June 13 in Effingham from a heart attack. He was born June 15, 1980 in Des Moines, Iowa to Bobby and Jeri Musson.

Joe is survived by his parents Bobby and Jeri Musson, two sisters Nicole (and Matt) Westcott of Rushville and Jessie (and Wes) Wendte of Altamont; four aunts Paula Musson of Astoria; Jody (and John) McWhorter of St. Elmo; Jackie Smith (and TW Hern) of Arlington, Texas; Angie (and Buck) Merrill of St. Elmo and one uncle Steve (and Sharon) Musson of Astoria; two nieces Ady and Serenity Wendte of St. Elmo and four nephews Maddox Westcott of Rushville and Brysen, Greyson and Beau Waylon Wendte of Altamont, step-great-grandfather, Wayne Conners of St. Elmo, IL and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Lorene Spain and Dellas Spain; paternal grandparents Jess Robert and Violet Musson; one uncle Jon (and Debra) Spain, and step-great-grandmother, Joan Conners.

Joe was a 1998 graduate of Astoria High School where he enjoyed playing football and excelled in Art. Later he became part of a semi-pro football league in Indiana called the Morgan County Broncos with his uncle Jon Spain helping coach. They were division champions in 2000.

Joe was a big guy with a big heart. He was always a kid and always the kids' favorite playmate and they all called him Joe Joe. He was silly and embarrassing at times. At family gatherings you'd usually find him wrestling, wrangling and giving horsey rides to all the kids. He loved old school video games, drawing, cooking and making people laugh. He also enjoyed spending time with his Astoria cousins (and their children) Melissa Musson, Stephanie (and Wes) Carithers and Courtney (and Braden) Wherley at family gatherings and leftovers.

Joe spent most of his life fighting depression and a drug addiction and unable to love those around him without pushing them away. In February, when his newest nephew was born and his littlest sister was very ill he told himself he was tired of living life as an addict and he had something to live for. He wanted to make memories with his nieces and nephews. In May, he went to spend the summer with Jessie, her husband Wes and their children on their farm in rural Altamont. From the moment he learned that he had been welcomed to come visit - he talked about nothing else night and day. He was grateful for life and the opportunities that welcomed him. He spent his summer making memories with not only Jessie's kids but his cousin Trever (and his family) fishing and camping. He was happy, his heart was full and he was finally able to accept the love from his family they'd waited a long time to give. He shared some of these thoughts with his best friend Dustin Cox- who loved him like a brother his whole life. A great weight was lifted from Joe's soul and he went to heaven clean from the substances that took so much from him. He also left memories his nieces and nephews will likely never forget.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 19th and noon at Shawgo Funeral Home in Astoria. A short visitation will precede at 11 am. Family and friends will gather at the Astoria Christian Church following services.