Joseph Vincent Waldinger

Joseph Vincent Waldinger, 8/4/36 - 3/29/24

 2 Timothy 4:7-8 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"

 Joseph Vincent Waldinger, Sr., at the age of 87, went peacefully to his eternal home on March 29, 2024, which was Good Friday and Shabbat. The last year of his life, Joe lived at Mill Vista Lodge, Windcrest, Continuing Care facility in the care of Bristol Hospice. Joe's family is grateful to the Windcrest staff and Bristol Hospice for their loving care. After enduring a lengthy illness and with much courage, Joe is now whole and in the arms of His wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus.

 Joe was born in Paterson, New Jersey on August 4, 1936, to Joseph Waldinger and Edith Kerris. Joe's father passed away at an early age leaving Joe, his mother, and sister with few resources. After Joe graduated from Paterson Central High School, there were no means for him to go to college, so Joe enlisted in the army and served 1954-1956. After his discharge, Joe attended Newark College of Engineering and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to receive two master's degrees, one in Engineering and the other in Management. 

 In 1961, Joe attended a Hungarian gathering where he met his future wife, Joan Batsch. Joan had just graduated with a nursing degree from Seton Hall University. Both had a Hungarian background, and both loved to dance. Their romance started with a polka and two years later on October 26, they married and just recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary. The Lord blessed them with five children starting with three sons: Joseph, Stephen, and Matthew. Their daughter Tara Leigh was born in 1970 but sadly passed away at one-day-old from SIDS. Feeling their family was not complete, Joe and Joan looked into adoption and two years later their beautiful daughter Leigh Ann joined their family. It was truly a blessing and honor to be chosen to be Leigh's parents. The Waldinger family was then complete.

In 1973, Joe invited Jesus into his heart as Lord and Savior. He began serving the Lord and joined the Prison Ministry. This experience led him to become a coordinator for the Angel Tree program for several years, first at Cherry Hills Community Church and then at Jubilee Fellowship.

 Not having a father from the age of 16, Joe had a heart for children and wanted to use his skills and abilities to serve children in need. He was promoted to Angel Tree Coordinator for the entire state of Colorado and served in that position for 38 years. During the last 10 years, Joe also raised money to send Angel Tree children to camp ID RA HA JE at no cost to the families. At camp, the children not only enjoyed fun activities but also heard the message of salvation through Jesus and many lives were saved.

 Above all, Joe loved the Lord first, then his wife, his children, and his grandchildren He was a devoted Christian husband who encouraged his wife to be all she could be. Joe was a devoted father who taught his sons what it meant to be a Christian husband and father. He cherished his daughter and said, "she will always be my baby girl".

 He loved his grandchildren and couldn't be more proud of them and how they are navigating through the difficult time we live in. 

 It would be remiss of this writer not to mention that Joe was an avid chess player. Joe not only taught all his children how to play chess, but also taught his grandson starting at age four!

Joe also loved fishing and climbing some of Colorado's fourteeners.

 In 1996, Joe and his wife visited the Holy Land and both fell in love with Israel. They joined Ministry to Israel in 2006, making 16 trips to Israel and serving the Jewish nation until 2014. While in Israel, Joe and Joan worked on building projects in various locations. Joe considered it a blessing to make these trips and an honor to serve His people and the Holy Land.

 Joe leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Joan, who resides at Windcrest in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He is also survived by his children and grandchildren: son Joseph, his wife Amy, their daughter Emma and fiancé, of Redondo Beach, California; son Stephen and his wife Maryann of Boise, Idaho; son Matthew, his wife Julie, and their daughter Attalia of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Leigh Quintana, her husband Kenny and their children, son Zaaron, daughters Crystalynn and Dr. Lindsey Quintana, of Highlands Ranch Colorado. Joe is also survived by his niece Lisa Froude, her husband Keith, their son Keith Jr. in Pennsylvania, as well as his niece Christie Castiglione and her husband Vinnie in New Jersey. Also in New Jersey, are Joe's brother-in-law John Batsch and his wife Barbara, nephew Douglas, nephew John, his wife Amy and their children Casey, Cara, and Colby. Joe is also survived by additional extended family and dear friends.

 Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Edith Lombardi, and daughter Tara Leigh.

 Joe will be truly missed. t was his hope that all his beloved family and friends would come to the knowledge of salvation through Jesus and be joined together with him in heaven for all eternity. There will not be a memorial service at this time. The family will meet this summer in Glenwood Springs, Colorado to celebrate their life together and remember Joe is now in his eternal home. His ashes will be spread in the beautiful Colorado mountains per his request.

 Shalom to a wonderful man.

 Romans 10:9

"If you declare with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved"

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Ministry to lsrael in memory of Joe.

Ministry to lsrael

PO Box 4431

Cleveland, TN 37320