Joseph John Widman

Joseph John Widman 

08/13/1952-09/23/24

Joseph John Widman of Monclova, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on September 23, 2024. Joe was born on August 13, 1952 in Fremont, Ohio to parents Norman and Wilma (Avers) Widman. He was a 1972 graduate of Fremont Ross High School and pursued an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering at Terra State Community College. 

For over 35 years he was employed by Honeywell as an electrical engineer specializing in HVAC and fire alarms. He was a founding member of Covenant Church (Perrysburg) where he served as an elder and deacon. After graduating college, two divine appointments changed the trajectory of his life. The first was when two strangers stopped by his apartment to talk to him about spiritual matters. At the meeting, Joe had some lingering questions about life, death and the Bible that were finally answered. It was then that he truly met the most important person in his life: Jesus Christ. The good news of John 3:16 became very personal and he became a believer on that day. He professed his faith and trust in the Lord. This was a day Joe fondly looked back on with awe and wonder that God saved him. 

The other life-altering divine appointment was when he met his wife Marty. Both were talked into attending a wedding they were not planning on going to. They met at the reception, shortly thereafter they went on their first date. And the rest is history. They married a year to the date they met (August 20, 1977). For the next 47 years, Joe and Marty were inseparable. As their family grew, so did his faith. He devoted himself to Bible study, prayer and applying the Word of God to his every day life. 

Joe and Marty did life as a team, under his servant leadership. They even helped design and build the house that they lived in. He was a kind and patient husband. He worked hard, always providing for his family’s needs. The key to their longevity in marriage was their relationship with Christ Jesus, empowered by prayer. Besides being an excellent husband, he was also a great father. He was patient and selfless. He was always present in the lives of his children. From assisting at athletic practices, to attending events, if one of his kids were participating, you could guarantee Joe would be there. This state of being present didn’t stop when his children became adults. As they aged, he offered wise counsel, worked side by side on home projects, home purchases, car maintenance and was often referred to as the “Fix-It-Man.” His family knew that they could always count on their dad. The same greatness that was on display with Joe as a father, became quite evident as a grandpa. God blessed him with 17 grandchildren. And they all adored him. They would eagerly await his daily visits and looked forward to playing with him. He invested time getting to know each of them. From trips to the Bass Pro Shop, to one-on-one breakfasts/lunches at Big Boy, he was always present in their lives. Even the grandchildren that lived afar, Joe made it a point to travel down to North Carolina to see them. It was important to him to be in their lives as well. Some of the most cherished memories with grandpa took place in the Upper Peninsula on Lake Millecoquin during the annual family vacation. There, Grandpa Joe captained the boat, taught his grandchildren to fish and to behold God’s marvelous creation. 

Joe also thrived as a friend. He was a likable people person and a skilled conversationalist. You will never meet a person that didn’t like Joe. Ever. He had this personality that people were drawn to. Once you met him, you had an instant friend. He was always smiling. He had such a warm loving disposition. He was a big hugger. He laughed often and enjoyed life. He was kind, sweet and gentle. No one ever spoke poorly of Joe. He knew no strangers and genuinely cared for others. Joe was a fighter. Over the last three months he refused to give up and quit. He wanted to be there for his family as long as he could. But he was also at peace with God’s plans for his life. Even the week before his death, he told Marty, “I think God is going to call me home soon.” And that is exactly what the Lord did, He quieted Joe’s heart and called him home. And now, Joe resides in Heaven where there is no more sickness, mourning, tears or pain. For those of us who know Jesus too, we look forward to the day when we see Joe again. 

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; son, Andrew (deceased, 2008); brother Christopher Widman; and brother Jon Widman. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Thomson; three children, Abigail (Joe) Hillrich, Alyse Widman, Anthony (Sara) Widman and former daughter-inlaw, Susanna Richards; grandchildren, Samuel Widman, Sasha Widman, Sylvia Widman, Jackson Makinson, Emily Makinson, Everleigh Makinson, Sophia Hillrich, Josiah Hillrich, Joshua Hillrich, Isaiah Hillrich, Zachariah Hillrich, Zephaniah Hillrich, Noah Widman, Gracie Widman, Charlie Widman, Isaac Widman, and Anna Widman; Brothers Norman (Sally), and his twin Allen Widman; and sisters Linda (Lee) Slane, Cathy (Frank) Gay, Mary (Greg) Kuns, and sister-in-law, Pam Widman; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

On Sunday, October, 27, 2024 the family will receive friends at the Newcomer Funeral Home at 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, Ohio between 4:00 and 8:00 pm. On Monday, October 28, 2024, there will be a Funeral Service and Luncheon at Oakbend Church, 11275 Eckel Junction Road, Perrysburg, Ohio. The service begins at 10:00 AM with a luncheon to follow. The Graveside Service will follow the luncheon and begins at 2:30 PM at the Greenlawn Memory Gardens, 1793 W McPherson Hwy, Clyde, Ohio. Memorial gifts in Joe’s memory may be made to Covenant Church of Perrysburg or Toledo Christian School.