Born and raised in Fairmont, Joe had an interest in all things mechanical and aviation was an integral part of his life. He earned his pilot’s license at 16 and joined the Army National Guard after graduating from Fairmont High School in 1948. In November 1951, Joe was selected for the first class of Army helicopter pilots, trained at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and flew in Korea at the end of the Korean Conflict. Joe married the love of his life, Lola May Sanders (Fairmont class of 1951), in December 1951, and they enjoyed 69 adventure-filled years of marriage. Sadly, Lola passed before Joe in March 2021. As Joe suffered dementia in his final years, it seemed to him that Lola was always with him even though she may be playing bridge or shopping. After his honorable discharge in November 1957, Joe immediately accepted a job in Alaska. Lola joined him in February 1958 with their three eldest children in tow. The family lived in Soldotna for a short time and moved to Anchorage just prior to Nancy’s birth in 1960. Joe was employed with ERA Helicopters until 1983. He flew many geologists, oil field workers and firefighters and he saw more of Alaska than you can imagine. His kids fondly remember their Dad coming home for lunch and landing his helicopter in the back yard. After Lola retired in 1985, they moved to Nikiski, Alaska. They enjoyed over 35 years of “snow-birding” between Alaska and Arizona. Joe is survived by his four children: Joseph Alvin Nightingale (Janice), Douglas Nightingale, Laura Henkelman (Joel) and Nancy Wiles (Michael); seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola, in March 2021. There will be no funeral; however, Joe and Lola were cremated and their ashes will be combined and spread by the family at a later date. Gifts in his memory may be directed to Hospice of the Central Peninsula, PO Box 2584, Soldotna, AK 99669.

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