Joseph M. Latham

Joseph M. Latham, 81, of Whitehouse, Ohio and a native of Sevierville, Tennessee, died Thursday, September 2, 2004 at Heartland of Browning Nursing Home in Waterville, OH after a long illness. He was born in a family of fourteen brothers and sisters in the Boyd’s Creek Community of Sevierville, Tennessee on April 8, 1923, to the late Rev. Michael and Mary Jane (Hembree) Latham. He served with distinction in the United States Army during World War II with the 33rd field hospital as a technician fifth grade from 1943-1945 in Anzio and Naples-Foggia, Rome, Italy. He received a good conduct medal, meritorious unit award, EAME TH service medal with four bronze stars, one arrowhead, and a victory medal. Joe had an exceptional business sense and was very successful as an entrepreneur. He loved the grocery business and after an honorable discharge from the Army, he opened several supermarkets including four Latham’s SuperValues in Ohio and Latham’s IGA in both Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, as well as several other business ventures. He was an active member of the Zenobia Shriner Temple, a 32nd Degree Mason, a Board Member of Citizens National Bank, an avid golfer and he loved to travel. Mr. Latham was also a licensed realtor with Colonial Real Estate, Inc. and a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Gatlinburg, TN. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by six brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Carolyn; proud father of daughter, Donna J. Koester of Sevierville, TN; sons and daughters-in-law, Den and Allison Latham of South Carolina, Craig and Felicia Latham of Sevierville, TN; Doug and Liz Deacon of Whitehouse, OH; grandchildren: Devin J. Koester and wife Leslie, Adam Latham, Aaron Latham, Melissa Deacon, Christopher (C.J.) Deacon, Karen Preston, Kathy McCoig, Susan Geissberger; and several great-grandchildren including special great-grandson Kent Drake Koester; sisters, Ruth Maughan and Faye Fast of Ohio, Helen Bales and husband Russ of Gatlinburg; sisters-in-law, Blanche Latham, Irene Latham, and Tishia Latham, of Sevierville; several loving nieces and nephews; and special friends Robert and Wanda McEldowney of Ohio. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Association of Toledo, OH, St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation of Maumee, OH, Sevier County Humane Society, or to the charity of your choice. Joe will be sadly missed by his family and the friends he has made throughout his life’s wondrous journey. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Joe’s extended family and caregivers at the nursing home, hospital and hospice. Funeral service 7 PM Saturday in the East Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville. A eulogy will be given by Ralph Chance. Entombment 2 PM Sunday in the Chapel Mausoleum of Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens in Pigeon Forge. Pallbearers will be sons Den, Craig and Doug, grandsons Devin, Adam and Aaron. Military honors provided by American Legion Post #104. The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Saturday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)