JOSEPH LAYTON PICKARD, age 66, died Thursday, September 24, 2015 at his home in East Prairie.

Joe and his twin sister were born in Kennett, MO on February 28, 1949 to the late Layton and Mancy Pickard. The family moved to Charleston in 1963. Joe was the first handicapped worker to be employed by the new Community Sheltered Workshop in Sikeston. He loved going to work and was there every day until health issues prevented him from working. Joe lived with his parents until his mother became ill at which time he moved to East Prairie to live with Dr. Randy and Effie Shurtz. The Shurtz family welcomed Joe into their home and their hearts and he quickly became a part of their entire family.

Joe is survived by two sisters, his twin sister Jane Morris of Venice, FL and Lee Ann (Jim) Cullison of Charleston; two nieces, Samantha Morris of Tampa, FL and Laura Jones of Dallas, TX; one nephew, Michael Jones of Charleston; and one uncle, Dr. Greg Dickey of Cape Girardeau.

Graveside Services will be conducted in the IOOF Cemetery at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 3, 2015. Blair Moran of Sikeston, Lonnie Thurmond of East Prairie, and Jane Morris of Venice, FL will serve as Eulogists.

Interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Community Sheltered Workshop, 515 North West Street, Sikeston, MO 63801 or Missouri Delta Medical Center, 1008 N. Main, Sikeston, MO 63801.