Joseph M. "Joe" Scripter Jr.

Joseph M. "Joe" Scripter, Jr., 84, of Grand Island died Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Tiffany Square Care Center.

In honor of his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jay Vetter will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Trinity United Methodist Church Columbarium.

There will be a gathering of family and friends an hour prior to the service at the church. All Faiths Funeral Home is serving the family.

Mr. Scripter was born on Dec. 17, 1926, at Atkinson to Joseph M. and Florence (Andrus) Scripter.

Survivors of the immediate family include a daughter and son-in-law, Shawn and Bobby Joe Hernandez of Grand Island; a brother, Chuck Scripter of North Platte; and two sisters, Betty Wasson of Ainsworth and Joann Sprague of Dallas, Texas.

Also left to cherish his memory is a grandson, Christopher Ryan Clark.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert Scripter and Kenneth Scripter; sisters, Marjorie Bader and Helen Braun; and brother-in-law, Albert Wasson.

Joe was raised and received his education at Atkinson. He entered the United States Army on Nov. 29, 1945, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was honorably discharged on March 8, 1947. Following his years in the service, he worked on ranches near Atkinson. He was united in marriage to Ruth Kreider on June 17, 1951, in Grand Island. He later married Thelma Andersen on Aug. 19, 1972. Joe was employed by the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant. He then attended Milford Trade School and was employed as a lineman for the Rural Electric Association. He then worked again at Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant for 30 years, until the plant closed.

Joe was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Methodist Men and Stephen's Ministry, Habitat For Humanity, and Disabled American Veterans. He volunteered as a mentor for the Grand Island School System and was a volunteer at the VA Medical Center, the Veteran's Home and St. Francis Medical Center.

He enjoyed fishing, golf, traveling and spending time with his grandson. His faith and prayer were a big part of his life. He will be remembered as the big brother his family looked to for guidance and as a loving father and grandfather. Joe never asked more of others than he asked of himself.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church or The American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Please sign the guestbook at theindependent.com/obits.