Adam Joeseph Hosmer died smiling in his sleep after staying up late performing a New Year’s Eve event as the guitarist of Joesephella, an indie folk duo he started with his wife. They were working on their first album of originals at the time of his death. Adam was a gifted musician who played in several southern Illinois based bands including, Addiction, Unimaginable, Uncommonly Cool, Buster Fuzz, Pat Knight and the Pimps, Back and to the Left, Paul and the Heartbreakers, and Leland Bunting and the Brown River Band which opened for Wild Horses. 

He leaves behind a legacy of countless individuals who he helped in their musical development, taking great pride in recognizing and encouraging talent wherever he saw it. He was a relentless advocate for those in need, whether they be the homeless person on the street, the family struggling to pay for gas at the gas pump, or his friends and family members going through health or other crises.

Adam spent several years serving as a pastor for the United Methodist Church where he received discipline for baptizing the daughter of two lesbians. He was known at the poker tables in St. Louis as Rev and exemplified Christ’s example by doing his best ministry among the gamblers, addicts, and supposed heathens of the world. He spent years doing missionary work in Haiti and Guatemala, and he always commented that he had never experienced true worship until he traveled there.

Adam was unabashedly himself, and he was firm in his beliefs. Although he was a man of the cloth, he was also a fervent believer that all plants were placed on this earth for the benefit of man. He was an avid advocate of cannabis and entheogenic medicine and spent several years working in the legal cannabis industry in consulting, marketing, and consumer education.  

Adam was a comedian, loyal friend, and storyteller. He was the life, music, and officiant of the party. He was Big Sho, Joey Joeseph, and as much of a handful as he seemed. 

Adam was born Adam Joeseph Hosmer to his parents Paul William Hosmer and Connie Jo Harper Hosmer on March 24, 1982 in Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his angel little sister, Emily Hosmer; his beloved grandparents, William and Mary “Granny” Hosmer; and his mother, Connie Jo Harper Hosmer; as well as grandparents, Leonard and Dee Harper and Maxine and Donnie Young.

Adam is survived by his wife, Bobbie JoEle Gross, and his father, Paul William Hosmer, as well as a worldwide network of friends and fans who will miss his larger than life personality and compassion.

Arrangements are being handled privately by the family with a celebration of life matching his personality and legacy to come when weather allows. If you have any stories, videos, or recordings you would like to share with the family — especially of his music — please email joesephellamusic@gmail.com.