Joseph B. Jenkins, 104, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 25, 2018. Born in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, he moved to Louisville at a young age with his parents. He grew up and lived there until he married his wife, Mildred, and moved to New Albany, Indiana where he resided for the past 58 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna Jenkins; his wife, Mildred V. Jenkins; son, James W. Richards; grandson, John Nicols; and sisters, Anna Schultz and Margaret Roberts.
Joe served his country in the U.S. Army 79th Division, was in the Normandy Invasion during WWII, and was awarded the Bronze Star. Joe was an avid fisherman and spent many years house boating and fishing on beautiful Lake Cumberland. When he retired from P.I.E. Freight Lines, Teamsters Local 89, he and his wife spent the winters in Englewood, Florida meeting new friends and enjoying visits from family and friends from home. Joe was always “The Life of the Party” and was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. A kinder and more generous man you would never meet. He was a member of St. John United Presbyterian Church, American Legion Bonnie Sloan Post #28, the V.F.W., and was a Kentucky Colonel and Kentucky Admiral.
He is survived and will be greatly missed by daughters, Jannine Jaros and Nancy L. Rapp, who was his caregiver; son, Donald Richards (Terry); daughter-in-law, Charlene Mattingly (Jerry); special friends, Bud and Patty Humphrey; grandchildren, David Nicols (Debbie), Diane Johnson (Daniel), Melissa Fischer (David), Mark Richards (Eileen) Tami Chanley (Jeff), Timothy Rapp (Theresa), Tom Richards (Jennifer), Suzanne Rice (Mathew), and Joseph Richards; 18 great grandchildren; and 17 great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 2 pm ~ 8 pm Thursday at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana and after 10 am Friday at St. John United Presbyterian Church, 1307 E. Elm Street, New Albany. His Funeral Service will be 11 am Friday at the church with entombment and military honors to follow in Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park.
Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to his church or Hosparus of So. Indiana.
Online condolences may be made to www.kraftfs.com.
