Frederick Joseph (Joe) Showalter passed away on July 20th, 2022 in his home in Manistee, Michigan with his sons Morgan and Mason at his side. Joe was born in Denver, Colorado on April 5th, 1944, and was married on May 4th, 1967 to Carla Jean Wisham who died in 2015.

Joe is survived by his two sons, his sisters Lynn and Kate, his daughter-in-law Sia, his granddaughters Maria and Elia, and his grandson Wallace. His sister Judy preceded him in 2012.

Joe spent most of his childhood in Onekama, MI. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962 where he achieved the rank of sergeant while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He never revealed to his family his Top Secret duties on the Minuteman nuclear missiles.

Joe was a skilled machinist at Ex-Cell-O in Manistee where he was also the elected Union Chief Steward. Joe worked for many years for Manistee County with positions as the director of maintenance and as a librarian.

Throughout his life, Joe actively fought to strengthen the rights of workers and was a strong advocate for environmental issues and socially conscious causes. In the 1980s he was a member of The Peace Project, a nuclear non-proliferation group, and The Fight Back Coalition, an organization that brought together peace, environmental, and labor leaders.

Also in the 1980s, Joe served as an elected member of the Onekama Consolidated Schools' School Board. Joe was part of the team that founded and maintained the Manistee Universal Free Net (MUFN) in 1996, which brought free internet to the people of Manistee County.

Joe enjoyed computer programming, walking and driving in the beautiful Northern Michigan landscape, and spending time with his family and friends.

A Memorial Celebration of Joe's life will take place at the Manistee Municipal Marina on Saturday, July 30th from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Food will be provided.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.