oseph Margarum Hewitt, 95, was born on September 17, 1922 in Salem, New Jersey to Leon and Lottie (Powers) Hewitt. He passed away on May 6, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Family

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Dottie, daughters Sharon, Dianne and Marlene, grandchildren Jon and Christie and great grandchild Alina.

Military

Joe joined the Army in 1942 and served in the Anti-Submarine Campaign in both the South American and Caribbean Theaters of Operation during World War II. Following the conclusion of the war, Joe received his honorable discharge.

Joe soon missed military life and enlisted in the Air Force. During his then 20 year career he excelled in Accounting and Finance. He was responsible directly to the Comptroller and became Chief of the Pay Branch. During this time Joe and his family were deployed to many overseas areas including the Panama Canal Zone, Okinawa, and the Azores. He rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) which is the highest enlisted position in the Air Force. According to the Defense Department, between 1.25 and 2.5% of the enlisted Air Force personnel may hold the rank of Chief Master Sergeant at any one time. Joe was clearly an exemplary soldier and Airman.

Awards and Decorations

At the time of his honorable discharge Joe was eligible to wear the American Campaign Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Award with five loops, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leak clusters as well as his designation as an expert with the Thompson Sub Machine Gun and Marksman with the M1 Carbine rifle on his uniform.

Joe retired from the Air Force in 1963 and moved his family to Orlando, Florida.

Life

Joe’s next career was in the financial sector as a certified stockbroker and retired from that career in 2000. During that time Joe helped his wife, Dottie, establish the Beth-el Assembly Church. Joe helped build the church by taking care of the accounting and supporting Dottie in her endeavors. Joe supported Dottie as she established a food bank that fed 300 people a week, free clothing, and missionary work in Kenya and Columbia. Joe also did accounting and the charity status as Dottie established a Bible College approved and registered to award ministry licenses.  Joe’s love of the Lord helped him support Dottie in all her work with the Church.

Services

A church funeral with military honors provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Apopka First Assembly of God in Apopka, Florida. A visitation period will begin at 10:00 am. A private burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. There will be a reception following the church service at Apopka First Assembly of God.

Friends, family, and those who served with Joe are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.