Joseph James Vap

 Joseph James Vap, 77, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.  He was born on September 6, 1946, in Campbell, Nebraska, the middle son of Ray and Grace (Vance) Vap.  Joe was raised in Nebraska and graduated from Holstein Nebraska High School in 1964. He then attended Kearney State and Creighton University receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Following graduation, Joe completed a residency program in St. Louis, Missouri.

On July 24, 1971, Joe was united in marriage to Pam Gidley in Creston. Two children were born to this union. Joe and Pam moved to Manchester in 1973 and opened his dentistry practice. He retired from his practice in 2011. Joe was a member of the Manchester Methodist Church, Methodist choir, various dental associations, West Delaware Booster Club, Manchester Lions, and was a boy scout leader. He enjoyed being a part of the barbershop quartet, The Jones Mills Music Company.

Joe enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, annual trips to Canada, and the great outdoors. He also enjoyed traveling to their property in Montana. Joe loved taking his family on trips to other countries. Most of all Joe enjoyed spending time with family and entertaining his friends.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Pam Vap of Manchester; his son Mitchell (Angela) Vap, their sons, Logan and Levi of Missoula, Montana; his daughter, Nicole (Jeremy) Freeman of Sedalia, Missouri; his brother, Ron (Rhonda) Vap of Blue Hill, Nebraska; his sisters-in-law, Janice Vap of Sanibel, Florida, and Jackie Shafar of Creston; brother-in-law, Jim (Linda) Gidley of Omaha, Nebraska; and nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Don Vap; his stepfather, Bud Harlow; his parents-in-law, Wayne and Elaine Gidley; and brother-in-law, Richard Shafar.

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