Joel Rookstool

Joel Alfred Rookstool, son of the late Alfred A. and Catherine M. Rookstool (nee Persinger) was born on May 18, 1946, in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Joel died peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 28, 2022.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara, his daughter, Shelley King and son in law, Patrick King of Bel Air, Maryland; his daughter, Shannon Richards of Erie, Pennsylvania; his stepson, David Doss and daughter in law April Doss of Annapolis, Maryland; four grandchildren, Austin and Novalee Richards and Summer and James Doss and two sisters, Janet Carneal of Slidell, Louisiana and Verl Ortman of Delta, Pennsylvania.

Joel served in the US Navy during the Vietnam war and began a 50-year career as a long-distance truck driver where he extensively traveled the continental US and Canada. For 25 of those years, he and Barbara drove as a team specializing in high value cargo such as priceless works of art and vintage automobiles. In 2014 Joel retired in Tavares, Florida where he had made his home for the last 35 years.

Those who knew Joel well respected him for being a man whose word was his bond and with a work ethic second to none.  He was incredibly well read and dearly loved little children and especially dogs.  Joel greatly enjoyed all kinds of fishing and was fond of catching large-mouth bass around the lakes where they lived in Florida. He liked to shoot trap and was a long-standing member of the Eustis Gun Club. He was also an avid football and NASCAR fan. In short, Joel was a man who captured some of the best of the American spirit – he will be missed by many!

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the family owned and operated MCCULLY-POLYNIAK FUNERAL HOME, P.A. 3204 Mountain Road PASADENA on Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. Where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 am. Interment Meadowridge Memorial Park Cemetery.