Joe W. Baumeister

Joe W. Baumeister, 70, of Cardinal Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida, died March 14, 2005 at Hospice Care Center. A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, April 2nd, at Kirkland Church of the Nazarene. Mr. Baumeister was born in New York City, NY. He had two careers in his life. The first, which spanned over 20 years, was traveling the North Eastern States, grading hardwood lumber. He eventually became a manager of Kelly Hardwood Mill in Bellows Falls, Vermont. A visit to Seattle, to one of his nephews, Kurt Rumens, opened the door to his second career. His nephew was one of the founders of the Lopi Stove Company of Kirkland, Wa. At that time, Lopi was very small, but offered the promise of a challenging career. Joe moved west and for two decades helped set a direction and hovered over many of the young men and women who came to work at the ever-growing company. He was affectionately known throughout the factory as "Joe Mama" for the next twenty years. Joe moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1998, after retiring from Travis Industries, the manufacturer of Lopi Stoves. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Daytona Beach Shores Fraternal Order of the Eagles. He was an avid motorcycle rider and also enjoyed woodworking. Joe is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Irena Baumeister, Los Angeles, CA., son and daughter-in-law Chris and Deborah Baumeister, Gilmanton, N.H., two grandchildren, Nathan and Jenna, and his third grandchild, Michael Joe, is expected in April. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and friends he made along the way. He will be missed by many. Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia-Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, Fl. 32129.