Lt. Colonel Joseph DeMichael

Two years to the day after his beloved wife Gladys went to be with the Lord, Lt. Colonel Joseph DeMichael, 84, was Promoted to Glory on February 1, 2025, in Andover, Massachusetts.

Joe was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Angelo and Ruth (Hunter) DeMichael. As a child, he attended grade school and high school in Youngstown, graduating from Youngstown East High School in 1958.

Joe’s family was brought to The Salvation Army by a faithful Corps Officer who visited their home in a time of need. He quickly immersed himself in the athletic and music programs of the Youngstown Citadel Corps, becoming a Junior and Senior Soldier. Summers on staff at Camp Fort Herrick, teen events at the corps and in the division, and trips to New York for territorial events eventually led Joe to an understanding of his calling to full-time ministry in The Salvation Army.

Under the spiritual influence of his Corps Officers, Majors Ralph and Mary Leidy, Joe entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in 1959 as a member of the Great Hearts session. According to the session yearbook, his session mates remember him as “candid, cooperative, and canny.” He was ordained and commissioned as an Officer of The Salvation Army in 1960.

Following his commissioning and several assignments on his own, Joe married the love of his life, Gladys Williams, on November 16, 1963. They served in ministry partnership together for the next forty-two years in various corps, headquarters, and training school appointments. Joe and Gladys entered honored retirement in 2005 and moved to Clearwater, Florida.

Joe continued to fulfill his calling even in retirement. He and Gladys mentored young Salvation Army officers in the Florida Division for fifteen years. Joe served faithfully as a Soldier of the Clearwater Citadel Corps, playing baritone in the corps band, singing in the Songsters, playing the accordion on Community Care Ministry visits, and serving in leadership on the Corps Council. Along with Gladys, Joe truly left a legacy of mentorship and discipleship for countless officers and soldiers across two territories.

Joe’s favorite place to be was Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where he and his family vacationed for almost sixty years. In his later years, he enjoyed cruises with Gladys, trips to Disney with friends and family, meals out with “The Group,” golfing with his buddies, rooting for his favorite Ohio sports teams (O-H …!), and spending time with his “grands.”

Joe was adored by Gladys, his wife of over 59 years. He was loving dad to Kristina (Hevenor), Mark, and Brett, and father-in-love to Keith, Kimberly, and Jessica. Best of all, he was Pop to Ashley, Kasey and her husband David, Jacob and his fiancée Brianna, Laura, Joey, and Jenna. He is also survived by his brothers Major Philip DeMichael and Major Ronald (Diana) DeMichael, his sister Marlene Thompson, and his sister-in-law Claire Richtmyer.

The family is comforted by the knowledge that Joe and Gladys are now walking hand-in-hand in the presence of the Savior they both loved and served so faithfully.

“By the pathway of duty flows the river of God’s grace.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Salvation Army Spring Valley Corps, 179 North Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977, followed by a committal service at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.