Joe L. Coelho passed away on March 17, 2017 after a long illness.
Joe, as he was known to friends and loved ones, was born on August 3, 1931 to Joseph M. and Aurora (Cardosa) Coelho in Stevinson, California. He attended Hilmar schools through high school and then attended San Jose State College for one year following his high school graduation. He was a very curious young man and loved learning and meeting many different people, especially while he studied in San Jose. Unfortunately, circumstances required that he leave school and return back to Turlock where he soon married Louise Clara Marques. Together they began not only a family, but also a business that became a longtime agricultural mainstay in the Turlock area, Joe L. Coelho Trucking. The qualities that made Joe love school and people served to help him become a popular and successful businessman.
Joe had many interests in addition to his work and family. His curiosity and interest in the world continued throughout his life.  As he passed on business responsibilities to his children, Joe got to travel more and more. He enjoyed wood working and was the architect of many an owl house towering above local fields. But most of all, Joe loved his people, his family, and friends. They made travel and woodworking and partying all the better. (For example, traveling with friends to places in the US and abroad, building a tree house for grandchildren, and celebrating so many birthdays and graduations and weddings with so many loved ones.)
Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Louise C. Coelho as well as his nine children; Anne Coelho (Isoke Femi), Michael Coelho (Judy), Stephen Coelho (Carol), Veronica Hemphill (Bob), Christopher Coelho (Kim), Alan Coelho, Dominic Coelho (Mary), Mary Kelly (John), and Patricia Ashman. He also survived by his sister, Laura Machado (Joe) and brother, Dan Coelho (Shirley) as well as 23 grandchildren; Jessica DePrimo (Matt Perazzo), Elizabeth DePrimo (Justin Burrill),  Amelia DePrimo, Eric Coelho (Amanda), Sarah Webster (Levi), Bethany Anderson (Marc), Peter Coelho and Annie Coelho, Catherine Riley, Abigail Coelho, Madeline Coelho, Dustin Hemphill, Benjamin Hemphill (Amber), Margaret Hemphill, Frankie Coelho, Christopher Coelho (Patti), Joseph Ryan Coelho, Alison Brasil (Danny), Natalie Hermanson (Marc), Katie Kelly, Louise Ashman, Willie Ashman and Keisha Ashman. He also leaves 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Dominic Coelho.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 6:30 pm. on Thursday, March 23, followed by the rosary at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 24. Both services will be held at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. Following the Funeral Service, there will be a lunch reception at Turlock Pentecost Hall, 528 North Golden State Blvd., Turlock. In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family has requested that memorial donations be made to Fr. McElligott Sacred Heart School Foundation, 1225 Cooper Ave., Turlock, CA 95380.