Final Salute

EOC Joseph “Joe” Habberstad Sr., U.S. Navy Seabee, Ret., 69, of Greeneville, passed away Friday.
Chief Habberstad was a born in Spokane, Washington and lived in Sparks, Nevada as a child. He retired after 21 years as a Seabee serving in Diego Garcia, Hawaii, Okinawa, and various other duty stations. He spent several years serving the Seabees in Antarctica where he blasted ice for National Geographic research. While serving, he received the Navy Achievement and Navy Expeditionary Medals, multiple Good Conduct and Battle “E” Awards, two National Defense Service Awards, along with a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and served with Operation “Deep Freeze”.
Joe is survived by his wife: Phyllis Habberstad; children: Joe (Angie) Habberstad Jr., April Habberstad (Ricky), Linda (Bruce) Ramey, Holly (Joe) Woods, all of Greeneville, and Crystal Rhea of Florence, Colorado; grandchildren: Justin Pinkston, Amber Habberstad, Bailey Ward, Matthew (Kori) Habberstad, Ashley Ramey, Chelsea (Mark) Glotzbach, Justin Habberstad, and Joey Habberstad; great-grandchildren: Armani Habberstad, Matthew Habberstad Jr. and Avery Travis; his brother: James (Debbie) Habberstad of Fernley, Nevada; a special brother-in-law: Rex (Debby) Shipley of Greeneville; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; his best friend: John (Diane) Christie of Youngsville, Pennsylvania; and his furbabies: Patches and Lulu.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Faye and Melvin; a brother: Freddie and his first wife: Connie.
A Celebration of Life will be from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.
Published by Greeneville Sun on Jan. 31, 2023.