Taylor Road
Joe Thomas Avery, 94, of Taylor Road, died at 6:56 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Joe was born Jan. 18, 1922, in Bartholomew County, the son of Joseph E. and Hulda (Thomas) Avery. On Sept. 29, 1945, he married the love of his life, Vivian (Schaw) Avery, and after 65 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on Nov. 27, 2010.
Joe attended Carnegie Tech and graduated from DePauw University where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was a fingerprint expert with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., and a veteran of the United States Army. Joe was the President of The Avery Press and chairman of the board of Columbus Business Forms. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church. Joe was also a member of Bartholomew County Historical Society, Kiwanis and was on the board of directors of Citizens Building and Loan.
Joe played violin and appreciated all genres of music; he took piano lessons at the age of 71. He enjoyed spending time with his family and dear friends and loved vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, Hilton Head Island and Sanibel Island. Joe was an avid golfer, enjoyed leisurely drives in rural Indiana and playing pool with his buddies at Four Seasons.
The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Four Seasons Retirement Center Chapel with the Rev. Phyllis Hawkins and the Rev. Lisa Cottingham officiating. Calling will be from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday at Four Seasons. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church through the funeral home.
Survivors include daughters, Sharon (Ray) Zeigler of Columbus, Indiana, Linda (Bill) Browne of Culver, Indiana, and Patricia G. Avery of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Cathne (Rob) Holliday, Emily (Brian) Doak, Amy (Rob) Mason and Michael (Krista) Browne; great-grandchildren, Ashley Holliday, Hannah Holliday, Will Holliday, Hunter Doak, Addison Doak, Grace Blouin, William Mason and James Mason.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vivian; and sister, Julia Morris.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
You are invited to view his video tribute after 1 p.m. Tuesday, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet.
