Joseph Wilford Dewees

Joseph Wilford Dewees, age 100, of Nashville, was born April 14, 1911 in Zanesville, Ohio to Joseph and Helen (Shipley) DeWees. He attended Purdue University, graduating in 1935 with a degree in Forestry. While attending Purdue, he met Amelia Cherry of Greenfield and later married her. Following his graduation, he worked as a forester in many of the state forests. He volunteered for active duty with the Army-Air Corps, later to be known as the Air Force, a year before Pearl Harbor was attacked. He served at Selfridge Field, Michigan, Shelby County, Ohio and 18 months in Italy with the 15th Air Force. After VJ Day, Joe returned to Kelly Field as was returned to inactive status. He retired in 1971 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Joe served in the Nashville Post Office from 1950 to 1975, retiring as Postmaster. While working in the Post Office, Joe was recognized as an expert on poisonous mushrooms. In 1954, he and some of his family ate some Destroying Angel Amanita Virosa mushrooms. Both Joe and Amelia ended up in the Franklin Hospital where she delivered Dallas, and he was cured from the poison. Joe and Amelia were charter members and active in the Brown County Historical Society and the Bucks and Does Square Dance Club. With the Bucks and Does, they danced in Russia, Poland and Germany as well as many cities in the United States. They both served as docents in the museum complex during summers, sharing their knowledge of local history with visitors. Joe was also an active member of the Brown County Lions Club. In addition to his parents, his brothers, Donald Dewees and Watson Dewees, a sister, Martha List, his wife of 70 years, Amelia, one daughter, Barbara Faye Dewees, two sons, Joseph Eugene Dewees and Dallas Daniel Dewees are deceased. He is survived by son, Donald Dewees (Bette), of Nashville, grandchildren, Joe Dewees (Cindy), Jim Dewees, Beth Garyson (Trent), Angela Dewees (David Charles), Brad Dewees (Rikki), Casey Dewees (Emily), Haley Gluesenkamp (Gabe), and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Halliday officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. where the Brown County Lions Club will perform a memorial service at 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be given to the Brown County Lions Club. Online condolences may be given at www.bondmitchellfuneralhome.com