Joe served in the U.S. Air Force for four years as a member of the Air Police. He attended the Nashville Diesel School and then Indiana State University Evansville, now the University of Southern Indiana, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. He worked for 23 years as a Technical Services Manager at D-A Lubricant Company where he retired in 2002. While working at D-A, he was a member of the Maintenance Council for the Motor Transportation Industry. He was very interested in and knowledgeable about the workings of engines and this interest led him to volunteer for many years at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a part of the team that completed oil and fuel analysis for the race cars.
He was a long-time member of the Greensburg United Methodist Church where he served on numerous church boards and volunteered frequently. He was also very involved with the Greensburg Emmaus Community. He served on the Emmaus Board and was the Lay Director for an Emmaus Walk. Joe enjoyed his time volunteering and he also greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was always quick with a warm smile and a handshake when greeting his many friends and family.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia Howard.
He is also survived by his six children and two stepchildren: Joseph (Amie Wirth) Howard - Oceanside, CA; J. Thomas (Angela) Howard - Grain Valley, MO; Jeffrey Howard - Pleasant, SC; Donald (Linda) Howard - Orange, CA; David (Deborah) Howard - Brunswick, GA; Susan (Angie Schacher) Howard - Laverne, CA; Kelly O’Brien Gartenhaus - Carmel, IN; and John (Molly) O’Brien - Louisville, KY. He is survived by seven grandchildren, five step grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His surviving siblings are Richard (Valada) Howard - Newburgh, IN; Frank (Gertrude) Howard - Evansville, IN; Bill Howard - Whitesville, KY; Ray (Doris) Howard - Ellettsville, IN; Earl (Carolyn) Howard - Philpot, KY; Linda Bertke - Newburgh, IN; Tony (Pat) Howard - Philpot, KY; and brother-in-law Jim Camp - Shawnee, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Loretta Herbick, sister Cathy Camp, brother-in-law Paul Herbick, and sister-in-law Glenda Howard.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, October 5, from 4:00- 7:00 pm at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 6, at 11:00 am at the Greensburg United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Springhill Cemetery Decatur County, IN. Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Greensburg United Methodist Church, 301 N. Broadway St, Greensburg, IN 47240. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com
