Joe Klee Trauerman, 95, of East Palatka, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2015 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center following a short illness. A native of Burke, South Dakota, he resided in Putnam County since 1960 coming from Costa Rica. Joe attended Cal Tec for 3 years and graduated with his BS degree from Iowa State and later with his MA Degree from Florida State University. Joe began working as a chemist with B.F. Goodrich in Border, TX where he developed a synthetic rubber and then as the office manager with the Koinonia Foundation in Baltimore, MD. After working in Costa Rica developing coffee lands, Joe accepted a teaching position at St. Johns River Junior College where he taught in the Science Department (Chemistry) for 32 years. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palatka and had also attended Trinity United Methodist Church. Joe had also been in involved with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the St. Johns River Investment Club as well as the Azalea City Kiwanis Club.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Trauerman, a step-son, Larry Collins and 2 sisters, Margy Trauerman and Betty T. Frantz.
Joe is survived by his second wife, Bonnie Collins Trauerman of East Palatka, 2 step-sons, Tommy Collins and wife Sandy of East Palatka and Mark Collins of East Palatka, a step-daughter, Valerie Jean Collins of East Palatka, a step-daughter-in-law, Sandra Collins of Palatka, 9 step-grandchildren, 18 step-great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, Margy Heep and husband Don of San Antonio, TX and Klee Lee and husband Terry of Austin, TX, a nephew, Steven Frantz of Austin, TX and 2 great-nieces and 2 great-nephews.
Memorial services celebrating Joe’s life will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Palatka with Rev. John Bennett officiating. Graveside services and interment of the cremated remains at St. Mark’s Memorial Gardens will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent in Joe’s memory to the Lee Conlee House, Inc Domestic Violence Center, P.O. Box 2558, Palatka, FL 32178 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Joe’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.