Joe Halsema

Joe Halsema, 77, joined his beloved Lou for happy hour on July 13, 2010. He was born in East Lafayette, Indiana and grew up in Normal, Illinois. A star athlete at Normal Community High School, he played basketball, football and set several longstanding records in track and field.

Following high school, he proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1951-1954. After attending Illinois State University, he was employed by Hupp Engineering in Bloomington, IL, preparing heavy equipment detail drawings. In 1957, he moved to Warren, Michigan, with Chrysler Missile Division where he worked on the Redstone and Jupiter Systems. From there, he transfered to Huntsville, Alabama with Chrysler System Static Test Branch working on the Saturn S1B. In 1968 the Apollo program brought him to Merritt Island. He also worked on the Skylab and Dragon Missile programs ending his aerospace career in 1997 with the Space Shuttle Program.

Joe was a big sports fan and loved nothing more than to hang out with his friends at F'Uglies watching NASCAR, the Dolphins, the Bucs, and the Chicago Cubs. He was extremely involved during the early years of the Merritt Island Lassie League, coaching the Tasmanian Devils, Hi-Liters and the Saints.

Joe is survived by his three children, Cindy Shaheen (Dave), John Halsema (Elizabeth) and Vicky Ditinick (Mark Justine) and six grandchildren, Devonne, Alex, Cari, David, Marcia Lou and Douglas.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, Merritt Island, immediately followed by a gathering of friends at F'Uglies, 905 N. Countenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe's name to Vitas Hospice, 4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Ste. 250, Melbourne, FL 32924. Condolences may be offered at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Wylie-Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home, Merritt Island, FL.