Joseph “Joe” Earl Bartley, 74, of Evansville, IN passed away on June 4, 2022 at Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center under the care of Heritage Hospice.
He is survived by his sisters Yolanda Grimm, Georgianna Ricketts, Louise (Danny) Hester; his children, Mary Beth Barnett, Amy Jo (Joey) Joffray, Clint (Christina & Wendy) Bartley, and Megan Bartley; 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Joe grew up on the west side of Evansville where his father passed on his love for fishing and knowledge of carpentry, construction, and auto mechanics.
Joe enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old and was positioned in the DMZ as a mortar man during most of his stay in Vietnam. He earned several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
After receiving an honorable discharge, he became a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 0265, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1114, and he became a member of the Carpenter’s Union from which he eventually retired.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Mary (Towery) Bartley, his brother Robert Bartley, and his granddaughter, Brittany Luttrell.
A celebration of life with military rites will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 18 at VFW Post 1114 on Wabash Avenue of Flags. Following the military rites, friends and family are invited to continue celebrating Joe’s life inside the VFW with refreshments provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana by going to https://honorflightsi.org/donate/ .
Brianna Bruce says
My life is just not the same without you around every day. I enjoyed the couple years I got with you! You made friends anywhere you went. I know your pain free and in a better place !!! We all miss and love you!!!