Joseph E. “Joe” Kostick, a lifelong resident of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on Aug. 2, 2025, at the age of 87 at Woodland Village. He was born on Sept. 27, 1936.
A proud graduate of W.F. West High School, Joe went on to serve his country in the United States Navy.
Joe was honest and hard-working, a true entrepreneur who affectionately referred to himself as “the junkman.” In the 1970s, he and his brother co-founded Kostick Brothers Steel and Supply, a company that began on National Avenue in Chehalis. The business later evolved into a full-scale recycling operation, shipping truckloads and railcars of materials to Portland and Seattle. In the 1980s, Joe became an independent business owner of JK Trading, focusing solely on recycling. As he got older, he specialized in precious metals electronics recycling, traveling the West Coast in search of what he called “various treasures.” He worked well into his 80s. His passion for his work remained with him until the very end, and he loved sharing stories of his adventures and accomplishments.
"Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Gail Kostick; his daughter, Kamala “Kami” Kostick; his son, Ken Kostick, and daughter-in-law, Sabrina Kostick; his granddaughter Kendra Kostick and her fiancé, Connor Tardiff; his grandson Aiden Richards; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families as well as friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Frances (Tauscher) Kostick; siblings, Pauline Burrows, John Kostick, Louise Kostick and Katherine Estep; and his oldest daughter, Konstance “Koni” Kostick.
In respect of Joe’s wishes, there will be no formal memorial service, but instead a “Remembering Joe” gathering in the fall. Donations can be made in his memory to the local teams at Visiting Nurses (Foundation for Assured Hospice) and Woodland Village.
