Joseph W. Snellenbarger, 93, of rural Wingate passed away at 8:25 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.
Joe was born Aug. 28, 1927, at Grinnelll, Iowa, to the late William M. and Pearl Wild Snellenbarger. He married Louise Wininger on Aug. 27, 1949, at Crawfordsville, and she survives.
Joe’s family bought a farm and moved from Iowa to Montgomery County. He attended New Richmond High School and graduated with the class of 1945. He joined the Merchant Marines and served from Aug. 30, 1945 to May 9, 1947. Joe started farming east of Wingate in 1947. In 1957 Joe started working in the Wingate Garage, owned by Chet Holmes. He only expected to work for three days, but 14 years later, he purchased the garage and wrecker service. He owned/operated the garage/wrecker service until 1990 when he retired. The garage was the gathering place of the locals, where stories were told and laughs/planks were plentiful. Joe was one of the “Four Horsemen,” even though there were five (Jr. Haas, Bill Marquess, Don Gross, Harley Peevler). Their pranks and stories are still being told.
Joe was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, American Legion and attended New Hope Chapel. He loved visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their school events. Over the years, Joe never turned down a customer, friend or family member in need, regardless of the time or day. His ever-present smile and jovial personality will be sorely missed. At the age of 15, Joe took off on his own to Kansas, where he joined a “custom cutter” wheat harvesting team. He spent the entire summer working and following the wheat harvest.
Surviving are: three sons, Ron (Diana) Snellenbarger of Wingate, Steve (Kim) Snellenbarger of Monticello and Jeff (Cindy) Snellenbarger) of New Richmond; grandchildren, Kelli (Marc) Welch of Crawfordsville, Cameron (Meaghan) Snellenbarger of Crawfordsville, Rachel Snellenbarger of Texas, Ross (Stacey) Snellenbarger of Brownsburg, Shelby (Ethan) Redmon of Crawfordsville and Logan (Katie) Snellenbarger of Whitestown; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David and William.
Private visitation will be held at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. Public graveside service at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Oak Hill Cemetery North, (just past the mausoleum, then to the right), with Pastor Duane Mycroft officiating. Follow the recommendations of the Indiana State Board of Health for COVID safety and please distance and wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Foundation.
Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or leave share a memory.
