Joseph M. Gillaspy passed away December 14, 2016. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky on November 29, 1927, he spent his formative years in Mars Hill, Indiana, then a small rural community southwest of Indianapolis. He attended St. Ann Grade School in Mars Hill and Sacred Heart and Ben Davis High Schools, graduating from the latter in 1945. He attended Butler University and Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree respectively.
Joe served in the U.S. Regular Army from 1946 to 1949 , including a year in Ordinance during the Occupation of Italy, followed by service with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, NC and then with the 3441 Army Service Unit at Fort Gordon, GA. While attending Butler University Joe participated in the university’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program (AFROTC), and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Thereafter, he joined the Indiana Air National Guard where he held various staff and command positions, and which included a one year period of active duty in the Air Force during the Berlin Crisis. He retired from the Indiana Air National Guard in 1979 as Lt. Colonel.
Joseph’s civilian employment included Thompson’s Grocery, Indianapolis Union Railway, American Can Company, Bridgeport Brass Company and Stewart-Warner Corporation. He also practiced Law for a number of years in various areas but primarily bankruptcy.
Joseph is survived by Wanda Evelyn, his loving wife of 55 years, his sister Delilah Baker and his children Sandra Fitzgerald, L. Rhett Fagg, Cheryl Shattuck, M. David Gillaspy, Linda Hein, James A. Gillaspy and Patti Smith and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Edward Gillaspy and sister Helen Pope.
Joe was a humble man who will be missed by his family. Quick to smile and ready to help someone in need he was a quiet hero to his step-children. There has to be a special place in heaven for him. Goodbye for now Joe with love from your family.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 in Shoup Hall with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
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