Today is your 33rd birthday, a day to celebrate you! You are loved and missed and never forgotten. You brought so much joy into my life and I cherish the memories we had together. I share your story and your winsome ways often. I recall the Little League baseball championship in MI and how you cheered your team on. It was late, the day was long and everyone was tired and ready to quit. When your voice rang out "We can do it", over and over until you had the team chanting as well. Oh how you are missed. I love you sweet Joseph. Mom
This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, SPC Joseph B. Cemper, 21, born on November 15, 1989 and passed away on April 16, 2011. We will remember him forever.
Spc. Joseph Brian Cemper of Ft. Campbell, KY. was killed in action April 16th at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Afghanistan. He was 21. Born in Omaha, NE, November 15, 1989 to Eugene B. and Angela D. Cemper. Joseph joined the Army in 2009 and served with distinction in the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Joseph embodied a unique combination of character traits: leadership, charisma, humility, honor, heroism and an insatiable need to serve his country. He conducted his life and executed his duty staying true to those ideals.
Born in Omaha, NE, November 15, 1989 to Eugene B. and Angela D. Cemper. Joseph joined the Army in 2009 and served with distinction in the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
Joseph embodied a unique combination of character traits: leadership, charisma, humility, honor, heroism and an insatiable need to serve his country. He conducted his life and executed his duty staying true to those ideals. Those fortunate to have met Joseph may never again know a man with a bigger heart, or a more caring soul. Having paid the ultimate price in the service of his country, we take solace in the fact that he is with the Heavenly Father. Joseph's sense of duty to God and Country are evidenced by his numerous accomplishments.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct Medal.
Joseph is survived by his parents Eugene B. and Angela D. Cemper;
Fiancé, Abbie Lynne Wernimont, and his son Liam;
his brothers, Joshua and Noah Cemper; sisters Rachel, Lydia and Leah Cemper;
Grandmother Cheryl Kurtz of Papillion, NE;
Grandparents Dave and Karen Galaska of Omaha, NE;
Grandparents Eugene and Sunny Cemper of Omaha, NE;
Uncle Chad Kurtz and his wife Ann; cousins Naomi and Nathanael of Denver, CO;
Uncle Cory Kurtz and his wife Susan; cousins Jonah and Avigail of Omaha, NE;
Uncle Brian Kreager and his wife Jennifer; cousins, Jocelyn, Lauren, Delaney, and Gavin of Duluth, MN;
Uncle Hogan Cemper, Omaha. NE;
Uncle Michael Cemper and his wife Ramona; cousin Tanner of Cardiff by the Sea, CA.
Extended family includes the United States Army – 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY.
Tributes
Leave a TributeToday is your 33rd birthday, a day to celebrate you! You are loved and missed and never forgotten. You brought so much joy into my life and I cherish the memories we had together. I share your story and your winsome ways often. I recall the Little League baseball championship in MI and how you cheered your team on. It was late, the day was long and everyone was tired and ready to quit. When your voice rang out "We can do it", over and over until you had the team chanting as well. Oh how you are missed. I love you sweet Joseph. Mom
Our hope remains as we celebrate the risen Savior this Easter weekend. Because He lives we will be reunited and spend eternity together.
Until then, you are loved remembered and missed.
Mom
Yesterday your parents, sisters, paternal grandmother & step paternal grandfather and I celebrate your birthday at your gravesite with balloons, flowers, confetti and Batman decorations. I made your favorite ice cream birthday cake, we lit candles and sang Happy Birthday as we let the balloons fly heavenward.
Joseph you are remembered, cherished and loved as much today as the day you were born. We look forward to the day Jesus comes to reunite us for eternity.
Love you forever and always.
Mom
Missing you and looking forward to our reunion. I love you!
Mom
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13‑18).
concern always bring a smile followed by a tear. I miss you and love you deeply.
My child, you've walked away from the funerals of your loved ones with fresh memories still clinging to you like grave clothes. Tears have filled your eyes as you've said good-bye to the last dreams of your heart. Remember, for those who love Me and are My children, death is but a step into eternity with Me. It is never the end but the start of forever - what you were created for! Take heart. I am the resurrection and the life. Where I am, you will be also. Find peace in Me.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, death could not hold You. And because of You, the resurrection, we, too, can live. Thank You that the grave is only a journey into the presence of God. You have removed the sting of death and empowered this thing called life. Now Joseph you will live in His presence forever.
I love and miss you.
SIMPLE TRUTH
On the other side of death is the real side of life.
He is our Hero and we will never forget him. God Bless
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be
Ma Loves You!
Leave a Tribute
Today is your 33rd birthday, a day to celebrate you! You are loved and missed and never forgotten. You brought so much joy into my life and I cherish the memories we had together. I share your story and your winsome ways often. I recall the Little League baseball championship in MI and how you cheered your team on. It was late, the day was long and everyone was tired and ready to quit. When your voice rang out "We can do it", over and over until you had the team chanting as well. Oh how you are missed. I love you sweet Joseph. Mom
Our hope remains as we celebrate the risen Savior this Easter weekend. Because He lives we will be reunited and spend eternity together.
Until then, you are loved remembered and missed.
Mom
Yesterday your parents, sisters, paternal grandmother & step paternal grandfather and I celebrate your birthday at your gravesite with balloons, flowers, confetti and Batman decorations. I made your favorite ice cream birthday cake, we lit candles and sang Happy Birthday as we let the balloons fly heavenward.
Joseph you are remembered, cherished and loved as much today as the day you were born. We look forward to the day Jesus comes to reunite us for eternity.
Love you forever and always.
Mom









Joseph, missing you on your 32nd birthday. Love you! Mom
Dearest Joseph,
Another birthday without you. Words cannot capture my sadness or express how much you are missed. While you are gone from us, your memory is alive. I remember 29 years ago today standing in the delivery room at the hospital, I had the distinct privilege of seeing you emerge from your mothers womb and into the hands of the doctor, hearing your first cry and watching you burst into the world! From the first moment of your being you were strong and eager to make things happen, and that’s what you did in the few short years you had with us.
From the beginning I knew you were a gift to all of us, from God, a precious gift. You shared with me before you deployed that you were ready if God chose to take you back. I wasn’t ready, none of us were.
I take great comfort in know that when evil exploded in the form of a sucide bomber Jesus Christ was on a rescue mission and you were the target of his mission. The bomb exploded and you were immediately in his presence. Your eternity secured, evil defeated, mission accomplished.
I often wonder if you and Jesus go fishing together. Somehow I think that’s happening. I can see your big smile and hear your laughter as you reel in your catch.
I’m thankful our separation is temporary. Until we meet again, dear Joseph you are loved.
Mom