Joel C Botker

JOEL CLIFFORD BOTKER, CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH passed away at 2:30AM on May 12, 2023.  Joel was born to the late Raymond Botker and Margaret Botker of Highland Park, Illinois.  Joel is survived by his loving wife Cynthia Ann (Divincenzo) Botker and their daughter Venetia Blaise Botker.  

Joel and Cynthia met at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  Joel graduated in 1960 after which he joined the US Army for six months of service.  Before leaving college, he became engaged to Cynthia who graduated in 1962.  Prior to graduating from Miami, Joel attended Hillsdale College in Illinois.  Venetia was also a Miami University "legacy".

When I think of my loving husband, two of my favorite works of art come to mind, Michaelangelo's "The Creation" in Rome's Sistine Chapel and William Blake's famous poem, Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright … for indeed, my husband was a gentleman but also a strong man, who would do anything to fight for and do the best for his family, especially Cindy.    

Joel and I were opposites, for sure, but as they say, opposites attract, and that was especially true with us!  We were good for each other and our love never waned.

The truth is when I prayed to God each day, I did visualize the beautiful "Creation" of the Sistine Chapel with God and prayed that God and Joel would really "connect" and that God would breathe "new life" into "my Adonis".

Speaking from my heart, I know that Joel would move "Hell and high water" for me … if it was in God's plan.  Though Joel was a convert to the Catholic religion when we married, he truly was and remained a believer and I never thought of him as a former staunch Presbyterian.  We are all God's children.

And, oh yes, Joel RECENTLY told me one more thing:  "There's one thing about me.  I never give up."  That is certainly the truth!

Interment All Souls Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial 12 noon Friday at Saint Gabriel Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Mentor, OH 44060

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst (East of Richmond Rd.) THURSDAY 4-7 PM