Joseph Miner, 60, of Corvallis, formerly of Sweet Home, died Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis following a long struggle with complications from diabetes with consequent major organ failure.

Joe was born in Sweet Home, the eighth child of James M. Miner, Sr., and Dorothy (Dickinson) Miner. He graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1971 and moved to Corvallis in the early 1970s. In 1999, Joe moved to the Bridges Group Home where he really found his niche as the “patriarch” of his new family.

Everybody looked up to Joe, because he was loyal, knowledgeable, a good problem-solver, compassionate, and helpful, and his sense of humor was priceless.

In Corvallis, Joe was a leader in the community of persons with developmental disabilities, serving as mentor, advocate and participant in a range of activities. He participated in Special Olympics for 40 years, excelling in softball, bowling, bocce, basketball, and track and field.

Joe served on the boards of directors of: The Arc of Benton County; People First; and the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Council. He had the opportunity to participate in many statewide conferences and conventions and went to Salt Lake City in 2002 as an Oregon representative.

Joe was active in the Corvallis Evangelical Church where he loved to serve as usher and greeter. He was a leader in the Ecumenical Christian Education group and, over the years, played practically every role (except Mary!) in the legendary Christmas Pageant. He especially enjoyed the summer Vacation Church Workshop.

Joe was a champion camper at Upward Bound Camp in Lyons for 11 years.

Joe was known best for his compassion, his sensitivity to others, his helping hand always outstretched to others who needed an extra boost. He was the gold standard among his peers for community involvement.

Joe had two families; his Sweet Home biological family and his Bridges Group Home family. He is survived by: his sisters, Ethel Gray of Lebanon and Sharon Miner of Sweet Home; and brothers, Dale of Corvallis, David (Sherry) of Tigard, Dan (Jan) and Ron of Lebanon, Bob (Maureen), Ted (Mindy), Mike (Helen), and Tony of Sweet Home; Lloyd of Albany, and Bill (Cindy) of Cedar Hills, UT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his brother, Jim; and sister, Joyce Baugus.

In Corvallis, Joe is survived by his Bridges family, including: his brother, Dale; staff and caregivers, Kinsey Green, Vicki Bolton, Tina Eveleth, Tina Darnell, and Silky Curtis; and residents, Susan Strassmaier, Amber Fuller, and Aimee Chapman.

There will be a Celebration of Joe’s Life at Corvallis Evangelical Church, 1525 NW Kings Blvd, Sunday, July 28, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions are suggested to: Upward Bound Camp (PO Box C, Stayton OR 97383 ); The Vina Moses Center (968 NW Garfield, Corvallis 97330); or Special Olympics of Benton Co. (c/o Susie Peters, Benton Co. DD Program, 530 N.W. 27th, Corvallis 97330).

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.