Columbus
Joseph K. Voelz, 90, of Columbus, died on March 25, 2017, at Four Seasons Health Care Center. Joe was born in Columbus, Indiana, on August 21, 1926. He was the son of Karl F. Voelz and Dora V. Voelz. He married Phyllis Banker on October 29, 1949.
Joe graduated from Columbus High School in 1944. He was treasurer of his class and helped organize numerous class reunions that continued until a few years ago.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1944, and was an aviation cadet who was released to inactive duty when the war ended. Joe graduated from Purdue University where he majored in aeronautical engineering and was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Joe returned to Columbus to join his father and brother in the Chrysler Plymouth dealership, Karl F. Voelz & Sons, which later became Voelz Motors, Inc., one of the oldest family-owned car dealerships in Indiana. After the business was sold in 1981, Joe and Phyllis engaged in the antique sales business, stocking booths in Columbus, Madison, Seymour and Brown County.
Joe loved Grandview Lake, boating and sailing. He built a runabout and a Y-Flyer sailboat. He was an expert sailor who competed in countless races at Grandview Lake and other venues. He was the Grandview Yacht Club sailing champion many times. Joe and Phyllis wintered in South Fort Myers after retirement. He was a member of Harrison Lake Country Club, Kiwanis and Columbia Club.
Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Phyllis; his son, James K. (Peggy) Voelz of Columbus; and his daughter, Judith M. Voelz of Fort Myers, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren, John (Casey) Voelz, Laura (Clint) Garrett and Mary (Travis) Kehl; and his great-grandchildren, Jackson and Harrison Voelz, Lily and Molly Garrett and Kathryn and Everett Kehl.
His daughter, Ann V. Watson, and his brother, Harold Voelz, preceded him in death.
A reception for family and friends celebrating Joe’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, at the Four Seasons Retirement Center Dining Room.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 17th St., Columbus, Indiana 47201, who provided Joe with excellent care.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
