Joseph E. Sewell, age 81, died on Thursday morning, Aug. 25, 2011, at The Woodlands Nursing Home, following an extended illness. He was born on Nov. 21, 1929, in Shirley, Ind., the son of Bert E. and Marie C (Polk) Sewell in the home of his grandparents, Edmond and Harriet (Drake) Polk.
Joe graduated from Wilkinson High School in 1947. On July 28, 1950, he married Joanne Stokes at First Baptist Church. He served in the United States Army from 1952 until 1954 while stationed in Germany.
Joe was a tool & die maker in die repair at Fisherbody in Marion, Ind., where he worked from 1956 until he retired in 1990. He was a member of the Muncie Masonic Lodge # 433, Scottish Rite and Mizpah in Fort Wayne, Ind., and First Baptist Church on Adams Street in Muncie, Ind. Joe loved to fish, and after he retired, he enjoyed bicycling all over town.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Joanne (Stokes) Sewell; children, Kris J. (Evelyn) Sewell of Albany, Ind., and Kathey A. (Michael) (Sewell) Riley of Muncie, Ind.; grandsons, Joel A. Riley of Baton Rouge, La., Luke J. Riley, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jacob A. Sewell, Muncie, Ind.
Family and friends may call from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at the funeral home, with Rev. Robert Burton officiating. Committal services will be held at 1 p.m. in Gravel Lawn Cemetery in Fortville.
Memorial contributions can be sent to First Baptist Church, 309 E. Adams St., Muncie, IN 47305.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.
