Joseph Michael Low

It is with broken hearts that we announce the going home of our beloved Joseph Michael Low, at the age of 44, on November 4, 2026; a compassionate man who touched many with his huge heart, quick-wit, infectious smile, and unwavering love and devotion for his friends, family, and above all, God. Joseph's memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at the One Church, 318 N Adams Ave, Mason City, Iowa.

Born and raised in Millville, New Jersey – to Bruce Sr. and Terri (née Ruberti), Joe was a complex man whose life was a testament on how to honor God, be selfless while putting others first, and endure a lifelong battle with addiction and mental health illness. Regretfully, in a moment of weakness, Joe succumbed to his illness and transcend his light and inspiration from our dark world to the heavenly firmament. Thankfully, our Joseph no longer struggles with his torments, but dances with angels in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Joe grew up with his parents and older brother, Bruce Jr., on their vast piece of property, where all the neighborhood children would gather to build forts, climb trees, play sports, and Joe’s favorite, war games. Joe was the youngest of the children, yet, because of his tactical and survival skills, the most admired when it came to war games. He had a vast collection of knives and army surplus gear that he would buy with his weekly allowance from a local war hero. Joe also loved BMX racing and freestyle rollerblading. Never far from his side was his brother, Bruce; as children they were inseparable. Of course they had their spats like all brothers do, but nothing ever came between them. Life took them down different paths, but they remained each others best friend and grounding rod. As a youth, Joe loved Jean Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger, he emulated them. Joe dressed, stretched, and threw kicks like Van Damme; and exercised, lifted weights, and became disciplined like Arnold. His love for them transformed into his lifelong love of bodybuilding, which lead to many injuries, due to heavy lifting. Those injuries would prove to be pivotal throughout his life. They lead to a deep depression – because the big, strong Joe, everyone knew, could no longer perform as he once could. The decline of his physical capabilities weighed heavy on Joe’s mental health, but he hid it so well from everyone.

Joe graduated from Millville Senior High School with the class of 2000. During his senior year, Joe was honored in the Mr. Millville Pageant, as Mr. February. After high school Joe worked for his Dad’s landscaping company, where he learned the value of hard work. Then Joe moved on to work for 84 Lumber Company as a traveling manager, going throughout the county, opening new locations. When Joe was between travels he worked at local 84 Lumbers in South Jersey, and moonlighted as a bouncer at different bars and nightclubs at the Jersey Shore. It was during those years that Joe began to drink and use recreational drugs, and ultimately fell victim to the all-too-powerful disease of addiction.

In 2007, Joe took his biggest leap of faith, with the encouragement of his loving Mother, and close family friend Mike C., Joe left South Jersey on a cross country bus ride to Cresco, Iowa, where he enrolled at Mission Teens, an intense Christian based Mission rehabilitation program. This was the turning point in Joe’s life. It was then, that Joe gave his life to Jesus Christ and was born again. Joe’s relationship with Mission Teens remained steadfast till his dying day. He routinely returned there to volunteer his time sharing God’s Word, his own testimony, cooking meals, and bringing new men and women to benefit from the Mission, as Joe did. Joe’s decision to go to Iowa in 2007 was the catalyst to his ministry.

Throughout the next 19 yeas of Joe’s life, in Iowa, he experienced extremely high-highs, and devastatingly low-lows. Joe fell in love, was married, and adopted 4 children. Unfortunately the pain of divorce and estrangement from his children left Joe broken and lost. Despite his hurting, Joe brought the Philly Cheesesteak to Iowa, with his business, “All About Cheesesteaks” – this was one of Joe’s proudest accomplishments. Joe inherited his Momma’s love of cooking for others and turned it into a successful business. During trips to Iowa, Joe’s Mom would bring her old school family recipes from Italy and teach Joe how to make all of her Italian delicacies, most importantly, her famous Tomato Gravy and Meatballs. It was also during those years that Joe accomplished his absolute proudest accomplishment, being a disciple for Jesus. Joe found a way to speak about Jesus with everyone he encountered. He used weight training with young local athletes as a platform to introduce them to Christ; he cut grass and cleaned yards free of charge to create an opportunity to speak about Jesus. Strangers would contact Joe to do interventions for their addicted loved ones, and Joe wouldn’t hesitate; he’d treat those strangers as if he loved and knew them his entire life, because he wanted them to be saved through Jesus and free from addiction. Joe was the epitome of selflessness, and had so much empathy, that he suffered knowing others were fighting his same afflictions. Joe was love! Joe allowed strangers to move into his home so he could introduce them to Jesus. One time, a stranger stole from his home and disappeared in the night, only to reach out to Joe months later and ask for another chance, without hesitation, Joe drove to Minneapolis, picked him up and brought him back into his home, ultimately facilitating the young man's relationship with Christ. Joe also invited his longtime friend Kevin from NJ to live with him and introduced him to Jesus. Kevin lived with him until Joe's passing.

Through all of Joe’s highs and lows, aside from God, there remained one unwavering constant … his unconditionally, loving Mother, Terri, whom Joe affectionately called, “Momma”. Terri was Joe’s biggest champion; she smiles from ear-to-ear anytime anyone would mention her baby, “Joe-Joe” as she lovingly called him. Terri felt every bump, bruise, cut, broken bone, addiction, illness, success, failure, good or bad choice, up or down, Joe ever made or went through – and no matter what, she never once said “no” or turned her back on her baby boy. Joe lived a rollercoaster of a life, and through it all, in his Momma’s eyes, he could do no wrong. He will forever be the apple of her eye…

When Joe was just 6 years old, he was playing in the living room with his brother, while his parents and his Dad’s best friend, Larry were watching. Joe pointed to a painting on the wall of Moses separating the Red Sea with his staff, and Joe said, “look at God”!!! From that moment on, Larry called Joe, “Joe Low, The Preacher Man”. Larry would be over the house most days, and called this little boy, “ Joe Low, The Preacher Man”. Who would have ever thought Joe would have grown to personify that moniker? Joe had many nicknames given to him by his family, one he loved was by his nieces and nephews, who all called him Cocky Joe and Uncle Poe.

Throughout out his ministry, two things Joe was very honored to do was deliver the sermon at his Dad's funeral; and officiate his Niece, Gabreana's wedding.

In closing, let Joe’s life not be measured by the 44 short years he blessed us with, but by those’ lives he impacted, which are many. Joe gave so much of himself to so many, some who deserved him, some who benefited from him, some who used him, and some who abused him. But none of their motivations mattered to Joe, he gave himself to others for his own devotional purposes to God Almighty. Joe did the things he did for others because Jesus instructed all of his disciples to go and do for others as He has done for them. That was Joe’s single motivation for helping so many, he was never concerned how he could benefit. In the end, his larger-than-life heart was his undoing. Our broken hearts will never mend, but we find comfort in knowing you’re no longer in pain. Your passing was not in vain. Joe-Joe, your life will forever be a beacon of light for those who are lost in the dark. Fly high loyal soldier of Christ, and watch over those who need watching, you truly were a fisher of men.

Joe is predeceased by his Father, Bruce Sr., his Cousins Gus and Kenny, his Uncle Lou and Aunt Michelle, Uncle Kenny and Aunt Delores, Aunt Beverly , Aunt Linda and Uncle Emroe, and Uncle Dave; and is survived by his loving Mother, Terri, his Brother, Bruce Jr., his Children Chase, Lola, Avery, and Jada; his Nieces, Taneysha (her husband and children Enzo and Layla) and Gabreana (her husband and children Roosevelt, Nova, and Rumani); his Nephew Bryce; and his Cousins Richard (his wife and children), Christopher (his children), Anthony (his children), Doreen (her son), Terry (her children), and Kara (her husband and son).