This was a news story by Jeff Barron. Published in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette on April 5, 2019
Humble. Selfless. Caring. Courageous. Those are just some of the words Gov. Mike DeWine said described U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Collette.
“It’s been said that great men take up great space, even when they’re gone,” he said Friday at Collette’s funeral at Faith Memorial Church. “That’s certainly true of Joey. He had a very big presence, and he always will.”
Collette, 29, was killed in action on March 21 in Afghanistan, along with Sgt. 1st Class Will D. Lindsay, 33, of Cortez, Colorado.
Collette was assigned to the 242nd Ordnance Battalion, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group in Fort Carson, Colorado, according to the Department of Defense.
He held the rank of specialist when he died, but the Army posthumously promoted him to sergeant.
“Joey was taken from us much, much too soon,” DeWine said. “He grew up with loving, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. He experienced the love of a soulmate (wife Caela) who was a loyal friend and always there when he needed her.”
Collette and his wife had only been married since December. He also leaves behind two children and two stepchildren.
DeWine said it is not the uniform that makes someone a hero, but what a person does while wearing that uniform that makes a hero.
No members of Collette’s family spoke during the funeral. Instead, there was a message from the family in the funeral program. It said as follows:
“A very sincere and heartfelt thank you for all the wonderful support we have received. The weight of our grief has been lightened by your gestures of love and kindness.”
Pastor Bill Means was the officiant and shared some of the family’s memories of Collette and encouraged them to remember the good times with him to deal with their grief.
“Joey was also a patriot,” Means said. “What he did for his country made a difference. The world will be a bit poorer now that he’s gone.”
Besides family members, there was also a large contingent of military personnel of various service branches on hand.
Means gave a short sermon and said like Paul the Apostle, Collette fought the good fight.
Flautist Randall Hester and violist Stephanie Price performed a piece called “Elegy for Joey.” Collette’s uncle, New York composer David Mecionis wrote the instrumental.
Local musician Dan Neeley performed “I’ll Fly Away” to conclude the service.
Following the funeral, a large procession escorted the hearse to Maple Grove Cemetery for military graveside services. There were pockets of people lining up on Fair Avenue and Main Street, along with numerous flags in yards and on the property of several businesses. Some businesses also had signs honoring Collette.
Pastor Bill Means was the officiant and shared some of the family’s memories of Collette and encouraged them to remember the good times with him to deal with their grief.