Joseph (Joe) Clinton Whitmer, Jr. was born on February 11, 1939, in Newton, Ohio. He went to Heaven on May 22, 2024, with his loving two daughters by his side. He battled many serious medical issues in recent years but was not able to survive this latest illness.
We will honor him on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur, Alabama with visitation 2 PM – 3 PM followed by a Celebration of Life service with Pastor Ted Amey officiating. Joe will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery.
Joe was born to Joseph Clinton Whitmer and Eileen Miriam Whitmer in Ohio where he lived in Piqua and Middletown, Ohio with his wife and two daughters for 15 years before moving to Decatur, Alabama with Champion Paper. He was very dedicated to his career as a scheduler at Champion Paper/International Paper for over 40 years before retirement. Joe became a school bus driver for the Decatur City school system for 10 years where his nickname was Jelly Bean.
Joe was very dedicated to taking care of his disabled wife for many years before her passing. He loved animals, especially their dogs. Nicki is cared for by his daughter. Dogs that dad cared for and loved are: Candy, Muffin, Mindy, Meggie, Nicki and Krissy.
Joe also loved camping for many years. Joe and Caroline (deceased) traveled to all Alabama State Parks and Tennessee parks, Texas, Florida, Canada, Eastern/Western and Northern states. He loved dog walks, campfires, bike riding and relaxing! He enjoyed just listening to music or watching TV in the camper when it was parked at their home.
Joe is survived by daughters, Robin Waldrop (Mike) and Kim Roberts (Charlie); grandchildren, Charles Joseph “C.J.” Roberts (Fiancé Mikayla Vandiver), Kaitlyn Roberts Higdon (Jake) and Sarah Waldrop Holmes (Brett). He is also survived by his sister, Brenda Whitmer, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George Raymond Smith and Susan Ann Smith, Frank B. Whitmer and Florence (Wagman) Whitmer; his parents, Joseph Clinton Whitmer and Eileen Miriam Whitmer; his wife, Caroline Kay Whitmer; his brother George Whitmer; his sister Linda Cotrell.
The pallbearers will be C. J. Roberts, Jake Higdon and Brett Holmes.
Joe will be remembered as hard-working and teaching his daughters their good work ethic and how to live independently. He was a man with very few words with the willingness to always help others. He was always there for his family.
His daughters would like to thank Lauren with Gentiva Hospice for her excellent care and kindness in the recent months. Also, Huntsville Hospital Women & Children’s Adult ICU nurses and staff for the peaceful death of their dad. We especially thank Aaron Robbins, dad’s roommate at Huntsville Health and Rehabilitation, who was their dad’s comrade.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Decatur Animal Services, 300 A Beltline Road, Decatur, AL 35601 or Five Rivers Church in Mobile, Alabama at fiveriversmobile.com.
Dad, Pa Paw, Papa Joe and Joey-You will always be missed and loved! “Just 5 more minutes….”
