Joseph Wampler

CHAMPAIGN - Joseph Davis Wampler of Champaign passed away Thursday (Dec. 14, 2023) at Autumn Leaves Assisted Living and Memory Care, Savoy.

He was born March 22, 1936, in Gosport, Ind., to Simeon and Dorothy Wampler.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Donna Buck Wampler; and sister, Virginia Summers.

He is survived by his children, Rick (Ann) Wampler and children Katy (Mark) Shapiro, Ally (Martin) Bertsche and Patrick (McKenzie) Wampler; son Jeff (Shari) Wampler and children Matt (Kristen) Wampler and Molly and Sam Wampler; and daughter Susie (Rick) Aeilts and children Audrey and Joe Aeilts. Joe also had nine great-grandchildren.

Joe graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1958. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and met the love of his life, Donna, a Kappa Kappa Gamma, who lived across the street. They were married on July 26, 1958, and immediately moved to Leesburg, Va., where Joe served in the military. They returned to Bloomington, and Joe went to work for American United Life selling life insurance.

In 1964, he was offered a general agency in Champaign. It did not take long for Champaign to become home to their family. Joe grew his agency and eventually phased out of life insurance and into property management. He founded Colony Property Management, which he was active in until recent years.

Joe's success as a life-insurance agent provided his family with many opportunities to travel to American United Life and Million Dollar Roundtable conventions. He enjoyed playing golf wherever he went. He and Donna spent their winters in Vero Beach, Fla. This gave him more opportunities to improve his game and create lifelong friendships. However, Joe was happiest in his "home away from home" in Loda. There, he and Donna could be found pruning and harvesting their apple trees, riding his tractor and running their golden retrievers on the property.

Joe will be honored by his family in a private service and burial. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.