JOSEPH CHARLES LEWIS June 5, 1937 to December 5, 2003

Joe was born in Fargo, North Dakota to Mabel and Charles Berman, the youngest of their eight children. They lived for a short time in Felton, Minnesota before moving the family to Sunnyside, WA. They traveled across country during the Depression with the eight kids. The large car also had a goat and chickens in crates strapped to the sides.

After the death of his birth mother in 1939, he was adopted by Alice Robert. Shortly thereafter Alice married Elmo Lewis who raised Baby Joe as his own son. Two brothers and a sister for Joe were born from that marriage. The family moved to Yakima where he attended Catholic schools in the area. He graduated from Marquette High School where he excelled in basketball, lettering three years. After graduation, he continued his love of basketball playing on a select team during his time in the United States Air Force. Joe spent part of his service time in Korea. After the military, he returned to Yakima.

Since Joe was so young when his mother died he did not remember his birth brothers and sisters. At the age of 33, Joe was reunited with his these brothers and sisters with a large family gathering in Seattle.

Joe moved to the Tri-Cities in 1963 where he made his home until the time of his death. He loved playing and coaching city and church league sports. He met his wife Adele while coaching women's softball. He volunteered to help maintain the little league field on George Washington Way, mowing the grass and striping the field before each game. He particularly loved watching the Mariners and the Seahawks and seldom missed a game on television. He received a 30-year retirement from the City of Richland in 1999 as the best meter-reader Richland ever had. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and camping. Last year Joe and Adele relaxed on a mini cruise to Canada. They had just spent an enjoyable weekend at the Oregon coast with her family. His children, their spouses and his grandchildren were a very special part of his life. Joe was very proud to watch his only granddaughter Brea graduate from Benton City High School and Columbia Basin College on the same weekend last summer. Recently he frequently baby-sat for his youngest Grandson, Ashton, while his wife and daughter worked. Joe passed away at his home in Kennewick, Washington.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Adele Hanson Lewis; son, Christopher Lewis of Richland, WA; daughter, Jenny Oliver and her husband Ben of Benton City, WA; daughter, Colleen Lewis and fiance Mike of Snoqualmie, WA; daughter; Aleta Hurson and her husband Pat of Kennewick, WA; son, Shane Dean and his wife Tonya of West Richland, WA; daughter, Amy Lewis of Richland, WA; seven grandchildren, Brea Oliver, Matt Oliver, Brighton Ratsch, Jordan Joe Ratsch, Trent Dean, Spencer Dean and Ashton Vaughn; brothers and sisters, Yvette Lewis and Robert Lewis of Yakima, WA; Josephine Engkraf of Seattle, WA; Irene Berman of Tacoma, WA; and Robert Berman of Beaver Creek, OR; mother and father-in-law, Helen and Albin Hanson of Shelton, WA; father-in-law, Mencer Hanson of Pekin, ND.

He was preceded in death by both sets of parents and brothers, John, Gene, Gary and Leo Berman and Conrad Lewis.

Visitation will be held today from 10:00 AM thru 1:00 PM at Einan’s Funeral Home. A vigil will be held Monday, December 8th at 4:00 PM at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland, WA. Followed by a celebration of life at the Elks Lodge, 15 S Colorado, Kennewick, WA at 6:00 PM. Following cremation, Joe's ashes will be buried with each of his mothers.

In lieu of flowers due to allergies, please make donations to the American Heart Association 509-946-7900, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 800-647-7774.