Joseph Earl Weidinger II passed into the everlasting arms of Jesus on May 8, 2024. He was born on April 27, 1951, in Winslow, but he didn’t stick to that corner of the world for very long. After he graduated from Winslow High School in 1969, Joe came to Flagstaff and attended NAU. While in college, he experienced a powerful conversion with Jesus Christ and was called into the ministry.
Joe first laid eyes on Becky Yvonne Robinson at church in 1974, and with the pitter-patter of new love still in their hearts, they married that August. They began their family the following year by welcoming their first son. In 1977, they added to their family and pioneered their first church in Winslow—a church that still exists today. Two years later they moved to Pueblo, Colo., to pastor a church and welcomed two more children (are you keeping track?) and then in 1985, they moved to Colorado Springs to become associate pastors. A year later, their fifth child was born and in 1987 they returned to Arizona to pastor in Globe, but found themselves back in Colorado Springs in 1988 and yes, you guessed it, their sixth and last child entered the world.
The final move came in 1991 when they put down roots in Flagstaff and pastored Grace Fellowship Full Gospel Church until 2015. Joe and Becky pastored the Gathering Church until present. During their ministry, Joe and Becky planted eight churches and Joe visited over 115 cities, 20 states and 11 foreign countries during his lifetime of ministry.
Joe is survived by his tougher than nails wife, Becky Weidinger; his sister always on the lookout for her younger brother, Julianne (Rich) Hartzell; children, Anna (Nate) Stevens and sons, Daniel and Colin, Catherine (Jeff) Lewis and Josiah (Patti) Hartzell; his favorite cousin Marilyn (Tim) Wade; and of course, his wonderful children whom he would for sure want listed here.
Get your calculator out and buckle up—it’s a long and fabulous list: Jesse (Maggie) Weidinger and sons, Joe and Jake; Kevin (Michelle) Weidinger and sons, Zach, Andrew and Will; Tyler (Missy) Weidinger and children, Trinity, Kutter, Logan, Kaydence, Taylor and Tatumn; Alyssa (Kent) Simmons and daughters, Tessa and Olivia; Eric (Cat) Weidinger and children, Jayel and Auden; and Ellen (Gabe) Navarro and children, Tasos, Rukah, Elasheyvah and Neni.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Earl Weidinger; his mother, Elizabeth Marie (Bukovsky) Weidinger; and his cousin William T. (Buzz) Weidinger.
Joe’s passion in life was teaching and preaching the Word of God. He was a pastor to pastors as well as to his congregations. He never retired and actively taught and preached the Good News until the very end of his life.
Joe’s Jubilee was held on June 1 at Grace Church in Flagstaff.
