In 1966, a year after graduating high school, anticipating the draft, Joe joined the Navy. He was stationed in Adak, Alaska for a time. He was then deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a radioman.
3 years later, in 1969, he returned home to Norco, where his family had bought a horse ranch while he was in the service. He began to attend Norco Reformed church. There, he learned about summer youth camp. Joe had a heart for the Lord and served several summers as a counselor at Indian Camp. He was affectionately renamed “Wee-tash.”
During this time, Joe joined an interdenominational choir called “United Inspiration.” The choir sang contemporary Christian songs and ministered in prisons, parks, churches and other venues, proclaiming the gospel of Christ through testimony and song…under the direction of Jim Jowstra.
While in the choir, he met Helen De Jager. They became husband and wife in 1973 at Corona Community Church in Corona. Together, they raised 3 children: Mark, Mary, and Martin.
Joe was employed at the California Youth Authority in Chino, for 28 years; first as a security guard and then, later as a senior youth counselor.
He was quite involved in the church as an elder. He also started a Project Phillip chapter in Corona, first distributing bibles and bible studies to Doctor’s offices, and then expanded to prisoners. Little did he know, he would be involved in this ministry for the next 42 years, until his retirement from this calling in 2016.
Joe and Helen moved to Murrieta in 2016. He passed away peacefully February 12, at 11:40 am. He leaves behind his wife, Helen, of 47 years; 3 children, Mark; Mary (Jason Miller), Martin (Amanda); 2 grandchildren, Allicia and Ben Miller; a sister, Rhonda (John) Volbeda; and several nieces and nephews.
Service and Internment will be at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside, CA, Monday April 19. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Project Phillip, P.O. Box 1008, Chino, CA, 91708.
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