He grew up in Jeffersonville, IN and attended high school there. Joe served his country by joining the Marines in 1957. He spent part of his enlistment on an LST and in Okinawa. He worked many years as a bartender in Evansville and Haubstadt. He also loved driving the children on his contract school bus route, N-81, which he did for over 15 years. He enjoyed traveling to the beach and spending time with family, friends and his dogs.
Joe was preceded in death by his aunt, Edna Lee.
He is survived by long-time companion, Sandy Feistel; sister, Margie Stemle (James) of Clarksville, IN; daughters, Laura Ray (John McClevey) of Algonquin, IL, Julie Marinaro of Elgin, IL and Joey Koop (Rick) of Lake in the Hills, IL; sons, Joseph Ray of North Vernon, IN and Jeffrey Ray of Chicago, IL; step-daughters, Nikki Sollman (Edward) of Haubstadt and Kayla Barton (Mark) of Missouri City, TX; grandchildren, Brian and Kyle McClevey, Justin, Nicholas and Vincent Marinaro, Petty Officer First Class, Jake Henetho (Stephanie), James Huber, Jaxon Koop, Corbin and Lexie Sollman and Allison and Trevor Barton, and great-grandson, Grayson Henetho.
The family would like to thank Linda E. White Hospice House for their care and compassion.
A Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, officiated by Rev. Kirk Horstmeyer, with burial in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed at the cemetery by American Legion Kapperman Post 44. Friends may visit 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 14, 2019 and Sunday 12:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
