Joseph Farris

Joseph Wesley Farris, 89, Vincennes, went very peacefully to be with The Good Lord and reunited with his forever Sweetheart on Sunday, March 22, 2020, at his home with his family at his bedside. Joe was born May 30, 1930, the youngest son of James D. and Fairy (Kahre) Farris. He was a proud graduate of the largest class at Decker High School of which Joe was class president and valedictorian. Joe graduated from the IU school of business Summa Cum Laude in 3 years plus a summer session - completing 53 credit hours his last 12 months of college while working 30 hours per week in the dorm cafeteria. He then hitchhiked home from IU, his mother picked him up from the bus station and informed him that he had been drafted. Joe enrolled in Army Officer Cadet School and proudly served his country in the Infantry in the Korean War. At the age of 21, he headed for Korea and was promised a 44-man platoon. When he arrived, he had 27 men that spoke 3 different languages. Joe received the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart for his time served, and those that served with him spoke highly of his courage and leadership in battle. His company commander tried to encourage him to consider a career in the military, but the farm was his love, and he returned home to the family farm. After a very brief career serving as Office Manager of the REMC, he began farming full time with his father. Joe loved his life on the farm and relished the challenges of farming grain, produce and livestock over the years. Some of his greatest memories and fondest stories were of raising and trucking his produce crops. Joe also believed that a dog is man's best friend, leaving behind his latest companion Ginny. Joe was an active member of Trinity and then Community United Methodist Church where he served many years as a Sunday School teacher. Joe was a life member and past president of the Knox County Farm Bureau. He also served 25 years on the board of the Knox County Co-op with several years as president. Joe has also served on the Knox County Parks Board, and was chairman of the first Knox County Ag Day.Joe married his forever Sweetheart, Edith M. Dellinger, on February 6, 1960. They spent 52 beautiful and wonderful years together farming and raising children and grandchildren. She preceded him in death on November 29, 2011. Joe is survived by his 5 children - Jim and his wife, Karen, of Vincennes; Julia Isom of Covington; Rebecca Jo McDowell, and her husband Shawn, of Vincennes; Edward of Huntington; and Jennifer Sue Harker, and her husband Troy, of Mooresville. Joe is also survived by his grandchildren: Kyle Farris and his fiance Kelsie Plesac, Jacob Farris, Holly Bruner and her husband David; Haley and Caroline Isom; Delaney, Alison and Graydon McDowell; Morgan (Liam), Sam and Solomon Harker and Courtney MacDonald and her husband Brady . Joe is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Kelsey, of Vincennes.Joe was also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Paul and Earl; his sister, Dorothy; and his son-in-law, Wilbur Isom.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a graveside service will be held at 2:30 Wednesday at Fairview Cemetery where it will be broadcast on Facebook Live through the Community United Methodist Church Facebook page with Ray Tromley officiating. Friends may visit with the family without exiting their cars at a drive thru visitation at the Community United Methodist Church parking lot from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm Wednesday March 25, 2020. Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to Community United Methodist Church, The Food Pantry or The American Red Cross.