Joseph Edward “Joe” Sunthimer III

Joseph Edward “Joe” Sunthimer III, 88, of Nevada, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 11, in Nevada. Joe was born Dec. 14, 1928, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Joe and Bessie (Troyer) Sunthimer.

He grew up in Milford, Ind., where in the second grade he met his future wife, Marian Young, who was the daughter of Harold Young, principal of the Milford School System. Joe graduated from Milford High in 1946 and attended Ball State Teachers College. On June 9, 1950, he married his grade school sweetheart, Marion Young, and the couple both taught school in Indiana for several years. In 1960 Joe was awarded a one-year college scholarship at Arizona State so he and his family moved to Tempe, Ariz., for the year. In 1961 Joe accepted the chemistry position at Cottey College. Joe, wife Marian, son Ed, and daughters, Susan and Kathy, moved to Nevada. Joe taught for 17 years before becoming a restaurateur, owning fast food restaurants in El Dorado Springs, Ft. Scott and Nevada. He also owned the Golden Apple Video Game Arcades in El Dorado and Nevada. He loved the outdoors and traveled extensively in an RV with Marian throughout the US including Alaska. They also went canoeing and fishing in the Boundary Waters regularly over many years. He enjoyed skiing and went multiple times each year until he was 85.

Joe retired from business in 1990 but continued to stay busy. He was an avid gardener who shared his produce with Community Outreach, neighbors and other friends. Joe was always concerned about those in need in the community, he helped folks with errands, repairs to their homes and if he wasn’t able to help, he knew someone who had the skills and time to help.

Joe was a longtime active member of the United Methodist Church in Nevada. He was very active with Nevada Area Habitat for Humanity, serving as construction coordinator on many of the builds. In 2001 he was presented the “Big Hammer” award from Habitat. Joe was involved in all but the last two Habitat builds. The Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce presented the “Nevada Smiles” to Joe. The DAR also gave Joe their Community Service Award in 2006. Joe also was a huge supporter of the Red Cross Blood Drives, donating over 17 gallons of blood along with many volunteer hours.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marian, of the home; son, Joseph “Ed” Sunthimer IV (Brigitte) Reit in Winkl, Germany; daughters, Susan Sunthimer (Connie Castellanos) Joplin, and Kathy Rosser (Mark) Milo; grandchildren, Debra Biermann (Drew), Colorado, Matthew Rosser (Ilyn), Nevada, and Daniel Sunthimer, Reit in Winkl, Germany; sister, Jennifer Culp (Gary) Vashon Island, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John; and a sister Toni Angel.

Memorial services will be held at 2 on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sharon Freeman officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park. The family will greet friends at the Ferry Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the “United Methodist Church” or “Nevada Area Habitat for Humanity” in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.