Joseph "Joe" Matthew Markauskas

Joseph Matthew Markauskas, a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on May 8, 2023, at his residence in Saint Leonard, MD. Born on January 24, 1933, in Danville, IL to the late Joseph and Agatha (Unekis) Markauskas, Joe lived a remarkable life filled with service and kindness.

Joe is survived by his daughters Susan Scarlett (Brian) of Bowie, MD, Christina Halt (Scott) of Saint Leonard, MD, and son-in-law, David Wessels of Port Republic, MD; his grandchildren, Jena Fisher, Denny Scarlett, Matthew Fisher (Jennifer), Joseph Wessels, Joshua Wessels, Kyle Scarlett, Alex Halt (Harleigh), Noah Halt, Hannah Wessels, and ten loving great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, Betty Markauskas, daughter, Karen Wessels, and grandson, Jonathan Wessels. In addition, he is loved by many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Joe had a heart full of generosity and a welcoming spirit that made everyone feel like they belonged. Even though he only had daughters, he treated his sons-in-law as if they were his own sons and introduced them proudly as such. Joe had a way of making strangers feel like old friends, and he would greet them with open arms and a warm embrace.

Joe spent his early life in Danville, IL where he graduated from Schlarman High School in 1951. Soon after, he underwent basic training at Scott Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and began serving as an Airborne Electronics Radio Communicator in Narsarsuaq, Greenland during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi in the 51st Air Rescue Squadron. In 1956, he moved home to Chicago, IL, where he began his civilian career with Land Air Corp. Just two short weeks later, he transferred to the Washington, DC area to work on Andrews Air Force Base. In January 1957, he married the love of his life, Betty, in District Heights, MD. They then began their journey, moving 17 times in 4 years, including the likes of Maine, New Mexico, and Virginia; eventually settling in Forestville, MD.

After more than 30 years at their home on Benson Lane and dutifully serving alongside their friends with the Church of the Holy Spirit, they moved to their home in St. Leonard, MD.

Joe’s life was the epitome of being a devout servant of Christ; every innocent conversation swiftly became a testimony of God’s love and every action was rooted in the welfare of others. He spent countless hours founding and operating Forestville League of Christian Kindness and serving with the Forestville Pregnancy Center, Meals on Wheels, and Safe Nights of Calvert County, to name a few.

The family will receive friends at Lee Funeral Home, 8200 Jennifer Ln, Owings, MD 20736 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Friday May 12th, 2023, with funeral services directly after. Internment will immediately follow at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens in Port Republic, MD.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to So Others Might Eat (SOME) and/or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Joe’s honor.