Joseph Carl Eiserman

Joseph Carl Eiserman, age 91, of Bayard, Nebraska, died Friday, February 20, 2026, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Cremation has taken place in accordance with his wishes, and services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting Joseph’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Joseph was born on October 23, 1934, the only child of Carl Henry and Donna (Onlee) Eiserman. He grew up in Michigan, where he became a huge, lifelong Detroit Lions and Chicago Cubs fan. Following high school, Joe proudly served in the Air Force.

Joe and his first wife, Nora, welcomed one son together, Michael. Tragically, Michael died on February 27, 1964, at the age of eight years old, from injuries sustained in an earlier accident. Joe later married Betty Jean Milliken and became a father to seven more children: Alan, Dona, Daphne, Danny, Deserie, Joseph Jr., and Katherine, who was born in October 1960, and sadly died in January 1961. Neither Joe nor Betty ever recovered from her loss. Joe and Betty later separated but remained close friends through the years. Betty passed away on July 23, 2022.

Joe held several jobs to provide for his family, including picking oranges, carpentry, working in a foundry as a groundskeeper, mechanic work, and working as a golf course maintenance man. He was a jack of many trades. Joe was especially talented in carpentry and auto mechanics. He enjoyed woodworking and building things, which he became quite skilled at doing. Joe and Betty also instilled their good work ethic in their kids.

Joe could be a complicated man, as he was very opinionated and not one to mince words. You never really knew where you stood with him because he liked to play devil's advocate when debating issues. All of his kids were taught, "Don’t start it, but you'd better finish it.” They also all knew, “Nobody tell on nobody.” Joe was always also a strong advocate of standing up for oneself.

He loved to sing karaoke, and he sang like an angel. Joe was never much of a drinker, which kept his wicked sense of humor sharp. Most of his friends and family knew not to ask for advice from him unless they intended to follow it, because Joe got offended when his advice wasn’t taken (LOL). Joe will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Survivors include his children, Alan (Maria) of Florida, Dona (Ramon) of Florida, Daphne (Thom) of Nebraska, Danny (Kirsten) of Florida, Deserie (Javier) of Nebraska, and Joseph Jr. of Florida; twenty grandchildren; and multiple great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Carl and Donna Eiserman; former wife and friend, Betty; and children, Michael and Katherine.