Joegene “Joe” Biberstine, 95, of La Porte, IN, passed on September 10th of 2016 at his home on Pine Lake in La Porte. Joe was born on September 7, 1921 in his family home near Bluffton, IN, to Roy Biberstine and Ethyl (Hunnicutt) Biberstine.
On June 16, 1943, he married Romanel Ruth Reid in a full military ceremony at Cherry Point Marine Base, North Carolina. He served as 1st Lieutenant and piloted B-25 bombers during WWII from small remote jungle islands in the South Pacific near Japan. He was preceded in death by all six Marine crewmates who served under his command.
Joe was licensed as an Indiana Land Surveyor, an Indiana Real Estate Broker, and a commercial pilot. He was a Master Mason and held a fifty year member certificate. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite, Orak Temple, and an active member of the First United Methodist Church.
Joe, with Romanel, played in the La Porte YMCA volleyball league and the local Tri Kappa Bridge-o-Rama League for many years. Joe was an avid fisherman and hunter. He looked forward to deer hunting every year with his friends. He enjoyed picking grapes and making home-made wine.
He is survived by two daughters and one son, Elaine Schiel of La Porte, Brenda Finney of Mishawaka, and Reid (Mary) Biberstine of La Porte, 7 grandchildren: Kimberly Mattinson, Christopher Schiel, Jill Finke, Joseph Biberstine, Jonathan Biberstine, Carrie LaMar, and Kyle Lapczynski; 9 great-grandchildren; a sister and brother, Doris Woodward of Warsaw and V. Ted Biberstine of Bluffton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ethyl, and by his wife of 70 years, Romanel (Reid) Biberstine on April 8, 2015. He was also preceded by his sister, Betty Jo (Biberstine/Sturgis) Kain.
Visitation is 10 -11 am CST on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2900 Monroe Street in La Porte followed by a short service and luncheon. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 11:30 am EST on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton, IN.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Ave., La Porte, IN 46350.
Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.