Joe Merello

  KEITHVILLE, LA - Joe B. Merello passed away on October 22, and he was 92 years old. Visitation and Rosary are on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel, 2500 Southside Dr, Shreveport, 71118. Funeral Mass is on Wednesday, November 2, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, 1050 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop, Shreveport, 71118. Rev. Francis Kamau will officiate. Interment is at NW Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Rd., Keithville, LA 71047 Joe was born in St Louis, MO on May 22, 1924. His parents were Joseph Merello Sr. and Irene (Reese) Merello. His brother and sister, George T. Merello and Mary Louise (Merello) Mecker, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Agnes Merello, Shreveport, and two sons, Joe A. Merello, Shreveport, and David Merello, DDS, Kansas City, MO. Eight grandchildren; Patricia (Merello) Newbanks, Joseph Anthony Merello Jr., Jennifer (Merello) Hiller, John Merello, Shreveport, and Peter Merello, Las Vegas, NV, Ben D. Merello, Denver, CO, Andrea Merello, Iowa City, IA, and Adam Merello, Lawrence, KS and sixteen great-grandchildren Joe began competing in trumpet performance competitions at the district, state, and national levels when he was 11 years old, and won the national competition six years in a row, setting a record. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in music from the St Louis Institute of Music and Washington University. Joe played trumpet in the St. Louis Symphony in the late 1940's, and held the position of first chair alternate. He owned and operated a music store and played in his own bands in the St. Louis area for many years. Joe and Agnes moved to the Shreveport area in the early 1980\'s. Joe played with Tim Boatman's trio at Ernest's supper club, performed as a one man band, and was the bugler at the Louisiana Downs Race Track. The 2007 movie, Ruffian, was filmed on location at the Louisiana Downs. Joe was hired by the producers to play the bugle call for the film. Joe is a World War II Veteran, and was a Morse Code operator. He was in the third army under General George Patton. Following VE day, Patton personally asked Joe to form and lead a big band to entertain the troops while they were waiting to return home. Joe's band performed in the largest coliseums across Europe. Family and extended family were blessed to spend time with Dad at his 92^nd birthday party. He was the life of the party, as usual, joking with everyone, sharing stories, and, of course, serenading us with his trumpet. He subsequently shared with me and other family members that he had lived a wonderful life, had a wonderful and loving family, and believed with all his heart in God and eternal life. We love you and miss you, Dad! Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Catholic Charities.