Dr. Joseph Waldner Jr.

Dr. Joseph Waldner, D.C., of Alabaster, AL passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at the age of 99 years. He was born September 9, 1923 in Manitoba, Canada. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Beatrice Waldner, son Timothy Marlon Waldner, daughter Betty Jane Burrell, and granddaughter Jennifer Marie Shelton.

He is survived by his son Joseph Waldner III (Marie) of Bessemer, AL; daughter Deborah Waldner Smith of Alabaster, AL; granddaughters Caitlyn Dannelle Smith and Sara Grace Smith of Alabaster, AL; Sonia Bierod of Irondale, AL; Cindy Roden (Larry) of Odenville, AL; grandson T.J. Burrell of Birmingham, AL; six great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

In 1937, Joseph moved from Manitoba, Canada to Utica, South Dakota with his parents, Joseph and Susanna (Walter) Waldner, and 11 siblings. In 1943, he joined the United States Navy and served during WWII in the South Pacific as a 2nd Class Electrician. While in the Navy, he was stationed in Alaska and in Guam where he guarded Japanese prisoners. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.

In 1949, he graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA and moved to Birmingham, AL to open his practice. In 1996, he was one the first distinguished individuals to be inducted into the Alabama Chiropractic Hall of Fame as a “Pioneer” of the Chiropractic profession in Alabama. The Hall of Fame was established to honor those who had made outstanding and lasting contributions to the profession. Joseph was a Chiropractor for 54 years, finally retiring in 2003.

Not long after Joseph opened his practice, he met the love of his life, Helen Beatrice Glenn, while she was working at the Melba Theater in downtown Birmingham. They married at a friend’s home in July 1950 and shared a beautiful marriage of 62 years before she passed in February 2013. During their marriage, Joseph and Helen, along with their children, had the privilege to travel by RV to every state in the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico. It was important to Joseph that his family visit as many places as possible making long-lasting memories along the way. Since he owned his own Chiropractic practice and Helen was a stay-at-home mom, the family was able to take month-long vacations every summer and spend the Christmas holidays with family in South Dakota and Canada. Joseph was an exceptional individual who was loved by many and he was an excellent example of a loving and dedicated husband and father.

After a short illness in July 2022, Joseph moved to Holiday Rocky Ridge Retirement Community in Hoover, AL. He lived there until his death where Angel of Mercy Elder Care attended to his daily medical and personal needs along with his supportive hospice nurse and medical assistant. The Waldner children want to express their gratitude to those who provided care to their father by treating him with dignity and compassion until his last moments on earth.

A public visitation will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Johns Ridout's Elmwood Chapel located at 800 Dennison Ave. SW Birmingham, Alabama 35211 with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 2:00pm. Burial will follow immediately at Elmwood Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Waldner family.