Joe Colmer

Joe L. Colmer, our hero, 95, of East Moline, was called home by the Lord to join his wife of 58 years in Heaven. Joe passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday at the mortuary. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities or Patriot Guard. Joe was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Clinton, the son of Frank and Mary Myers Colmer. He married Alberta Robison on Aug. 11, 1954 in Mt. Home, Ark. Joe served as a tech. sergeant with F Company 325 glider infantry 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. His tour of duty included major battles in Sicily, D-Day, North Africa, Battle of the Bulge, Market Garden and the invasion of Germany where he received three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Service Badge and his Glider Wings, as well as many other campaign ribbons. Joe was a member of Wildwood Baptist Church in East Moline, American Legion Post 650 in Mansfield, VFW Post 3404 in Springfield, Mo., local UAW 865 and Silvis FOE 1839. Survivors include his children, Sheri (Steve) Williams, Patti (Glen) Dawkins and Bruce (Cindy) Colmer; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta; daughter, Sue Robison; a granddaughter, Amanda Colmer; brothers, Frank, Ralph and Edward Colmer; and a sister, Margaret.