Joseph W. Etter III

Joseph “Joe” Wesley Etter III passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 66. Joe was born in Amityville, New York on June 19, 1957, to Joseph W. Etter Jr., and Rita Robusto. He grew up in New York and moved to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1967. He graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1975 and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Master of Safety Management from West Virginia University. On May 1, 1983, Joe married the love of his life, Carol Anne Stouffer, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Hagerstown, Maryland. Together, they began their lifelong and adventurous marriage overseas in Oman, then moved to Florida in 1984, before settling in Kissimmee, Florida in December 1989. Notorious for his quick wit, love of sports (specifically New York teams like the Jets, Yankees, Rangers, and Penn State Nittany Lions), and infectious sense of humor, friends, and family knew they could count on Joe to brighten the mood in any situation. He was often content with a big mug of black coffee, watching any sporting event or reading the newspaper, and hopping on FaceTime to hear about his grandchildren’s day. Although he would always cheer for Penn State on the football field, he would often attend University of Florida football games with his daughter or cheer for the UCF Knights with his son. Joe’s professional career included more than 35 years of safety management in insurance, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and public sectors. He was a Certified Safety Professional and was awarded the Preferred Risk Management Professional of the Year in 2021 by the Preferred Governmental Insurance Company. Joe retired from the City of St. Cloud in February 2023. He was involved in his local community, a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, and served on the Holy Redeemer Catholic School board. As proud of his career and professional accolades as he was, Joe was most proud of his role as a caring father and loving grandfather known as Pop Pop. He enjoyed swimming with his granddaughters, watching his grandson score goals on the soccer field, creating March Madness brackets with his children, watching the University of Florida – Tennessee football games with the Hamilton Family, and spending every Thanksgiving with his family and friends. In addition to his best friend and wife of 40 years, he is survived by his son Joseph W. Etter IV (Lauren) of Tampa, Florida; daughter Jessica Wallace (Rob) of Manassas, Virginia; grandchildren Benjamin, Olivia, Amelia, and Lucas; mother, Rita Weissman of Melbourne, Florida; sisters Rita Darlington (Thomas) of Melbourne, Florida and Jeannie Etter Coulson (David) of Miami, Florida; father-in-law Jerry Quinn of Kissimmee, Florida; sister-in-law Cathy Smith of Mt. Airy, Maryland; close friends who were practically family Roni Damouni (Nancy), Bob Machock (Sue), Rex Roberts (Mel), Carol Hamilton (John); numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his father Joseph W. Etter Jr., mother-in-law Joyce Quinn, and brother-in-law Paul Smith. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kissimmee, Florida in the coming weeks. A celebration of life will be scheduled the night before the funeral mass at Osceola Memory Gardens. A subsequent private burial will occur in Hagerstown, Maryland to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, or charity of your choice in Joe’s name. The family encourages all to celebrate in his honor with a good cup of coffee, preferably black, watch your favorite football game, and a nice cannoli.

Joseph W. Etter III

June 19, 1957 - September 27, 2023