Dr. Joseph Rene Baele

He attended Our Lady of Hungary grade school graduated from Mishawaka Marian High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and attended medical school at I.U. and Notre Dame, finishing his residency in 1987. He specialized in orthopedic trauma surgery, and the indelible mark he left on the lives of his patients and colleagues is indisputable.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Mary Baele. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Janice, whom he married on October 3, 1987, his three children, son Nicholas, daughter Dana and son Mark. He is also survived by his sisters Barbara Vincensi and Mary Zirille (husband Frank) and brother Roger Baele (wife Robin). Joe leaves behind many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and his special friends at the Kroger meat counter.

Joe spent most of his career as a trauma orthopedist with OrthoIndy. While there, Joe served as a physician for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and the fearsome Naptown Roller Girls. Joe formally retired from the practice of medicine in March 2021, but he continued his healing ways until the end. Joe strived throughout his career to provide for his patients in any way he could and his cell phone contains the numbers of nearly 1,200 patients whom he treated over the years. He would always encourage those patients to call him directly with any questions or concerns, and he would always be there if needed.

In 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, Joe and Jan traveled to New Orleans as part of the relief efforts. Joe fell in love with the food, music, and people of the “Crescent City” and returned there often in the years following. In 2008, Joe joined the Indiana branch of Task Force 1, which is mobilized to provide disaster relief around the country. In 2010, through Nehemiah Vision Ministries, Joe and Jan volunteered to provide relief in Haiti after an earthquake devastated the Port Au Prince area. Together, Joe and Jan made a formidable team, using their time, talents and treasure to help alleviate suffering and to be allies for the less fortunate and advocates for social justice.

Joe derived the greatest joy from spending time with his wife and kids. He never let work keep him from attending his kids’ activities and sporting events as they were growing up. To say he loved and cherished his wife deeply would be an understatement, she was the center of his universe and his reason for being.

Joe was loving and compassionate, friendly and kind, hard-working and generous, selfless and humble. He was a teacher and student, mentor and leader, friend and confidante, servant and ally. Joe never gave up, always did the right thing and never let the bad guys win. As one friend remarked, “There are givers and takers in this world. Joe was the ultimate giver.” Another friend shared, “He was a fine surgeon and fine human being; a genuine person devoid of pretense who was completely devoted to his calling.” And, “God, could he light up a room.” Joe was the real deal, and he is most certainly resting in God’s loving arms.

A visitation for Joe will be held Friday, October 1, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St Matthew Catholic Church, 4100 E 56th St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220. A second visitation will occur Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial following after.

The Baele family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love by those who shared text messages, phone calls, emails, and social media posts and to all who have reached out with condolences, love, and offers of help. Rest assured your love and sharing has helped lighten the load.

The family would also like to encourage casual and comfortable attire for the services. Come as you are and plan to stay awhile as we celebrate the life of Dr. Joe Baele.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to Fair Haven Foundation, P.O. Box 441683, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46244, or www.fairhavenfoundation.org.