Funeral services for Joel A. Bishop, age 87, of Lemmon, SD, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the New Hope Worship Center in Lemmon, SD, with Pastor Ed Cloninger and Pastor T.J. Shockley, officiating.  A luncheon will follow the service and burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon.

Joel Allen Bishop was born on April 2, 1931 to Joel Lewis and Grace (Peterson) Bishop at the Bishop Farm located about three and one half miles southwest of Thunder Hawk, SD, where his grandfather, Joel Hall Bishop homesteaded in 1908.

Joel attended grade school at the Comstock Country School about three and one half miles south of their home.  He then attended Lemmon High School, being active in the National honor Society, FFA, choir and          basketball.  Joel was a very good basketball player in high school, and played on a Lemmon Jaycee's team after high school, winning a state tournament in the early 1950's.  Joel graduated with honors in 1949.  He also attended Northwest Bible College in Minot, ND, graduating as salutatorian in 1953.

Joel was drafted into the army and served during the Korean War from 1954 to 1956.  On June 22, 1957, he was united in marriage to Vallie     Christian.  They shared 53 years together.

Joel loved livestock and farming.  He started going to the sale barn and buying livestock at around 12 years old.  In 1966, he was honored with the Outstanding Young Farmer award.  In 1968, he and Vallie had a house built, and moved onto their own farmstead.  That same year, their son, Barry Joel, was born.  Joel often said one the smartest things he ever did was build his home on the level, as he was able to live there, even with his handicap, until shortly before his passing.  He was always drawn to children, and was very proud of his grandchildren.

Joel was always very active in his church, serving many terms as council member and Sunday School superintendent, singing in the choir and in  quartets.  He also served on the Lincoln Township board for many years, and on the ASCS committee.

Most of his life revolved around the farm and ranch until the spring of 1998, when he was diagnosed with a rare disease called Guillain Barre`   Syndrome, which paralyzed him from the neck down.  He recovered well enough to get around with a walker, and was able to resume farming after three years, as his son put extra steps on the tractors and combines.  The last summer was hard on him, as he wasn't able to help farm anymore.

Joel entered the Five Counties Nursing Home in February of 2018.  He did very well, and enjoyed his time there, where he passed away peacefully from this life to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Surviving family members include his son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Nancy Bishop, Lemmon, SD; four grandchildren, Joel Gregory, Adam, Anna and John Bishop, Lemmon, SD; two brothers, Paul Bishop, Cleveland, TN and Jim (Pat) Bishop, Harrisburg, SD; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Larry and LeAuna Christian, Spokane, WA, Virginia Christian, Sun City, AZ, Jean Christian, Sun City, AZ, Zola Finch, Fargo, ND and Deloris Huber, Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vallie; one brother, David Bishop and his wife, Sandy; and one sister-in-law, Betty Bishop.

Visitation with the family present will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a gathering of friends and family at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 16, 2018 all at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

A memorial has been established.