Joseph Edwin Anderson, 87, of Cross Lanes, formerly of Dunbar, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 28, 2016 surrounded by his daughters.

Joe was born on August 21, 1928 to the late Howard and Irene Anderson.
He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1947.

Joe was a faithful member of the Cross Lanes United Methodist along with his family since 1975. He was part of the Wednesday Work Group and thoroughly enjoyed his time being involved at the church.

He was a wood worker and enjoyed making clocks, trinkets and participated in several Arts and Crafts Fairs. He made the wooden hanging cross in the Fellowship Hall, the quilt frames and many other projects at the church.

He loved to spend time with his family, enjoyed camping and his ham radio operations.
His call sign was K8BCH. He first obtained his radio license in 1956. He participated in many Ham Fests, assisting with the Red Cross in disasters and helped many military personnel contact their families many years ahead of cell phones and social media. He assisted in patching calls from the USS Eisenhower while it was located in the Mediterranean. He once talked to the Pope John Paul II.

He was a 50 year+ member of the Dunbar Masonic Lodge #159, a member of the Beni Kedem Shriners and the Scottish Rite in Charleston, WV.

Joe was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather making sure his family and friends came first.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years, Thelma (Gibson) Anderson, his sisters, Rosalie Adams and Emma Ruth Osborn and his brother, James (Jimmy) Anderson.

Joe is survived by his two daughters, Beth (Dan) Kimble of Nitro, Barbara (Chris) Conner of Cross Lanes; his three grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Kimble of Lexington, KY, Seth Joseph Conner and Mia Paige Conner of Cross Lanes; sister-in-law, Anne Anderson of Dunbar; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to CLUMC for their love, prayers, hugs, support, cards, phone calls, meals and many visits by members of the church. In addition to the church, the family wishes to express their appreciation to Hubbard Hospice House medical staff and to his caregivers that were part of his family over the past 3 years.

Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

A celebration of life with family and friends will be held at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 11:00 am with Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.

Visitation with family and friends will be on Sunday, May 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church and 1 hour prior to the service on Monday, May 2.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in his memory to be made to the American Heart Association 162 Court St., Charleston, WV 25301; American Lung Association-Mid-Atlantic, 2102 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25311; Cross Lanes United Methodist Church, 5320 Frontier Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313; or Hubbard Hospice House West, 4605 MacCorkle Ave SW, South Charleston, WV 25309.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.