Joseph Earl Bakehorn, 94, Wabash, died at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, at his home. He was born June 20, 1926, in Wabash, to Ralph E. and Lura Delight (Kistler) Bakehorn.

Joseph Earl Bakehorn

Joe attended Wabash High School. He worked for James Stefanatos Sr. shining shoes, delivered milk for Brewers Dairy and also worked at the dairy, washing milk bottles and milk cans. Joe joined the US Navy on July 3, 1943, served on the USS Tripoli Aircraft Carrier and was discharged on Dec. 7, 1945. He married Barbara Jean Martin in Wabash on June 29, 1947. Joe worked in the foundry at Ford Meter Box for 43 years and five months, retiring in 1989 as the assistant foundry manager. He was a member of the Wabash Alliance Church, the American Foundry Association and the local chapter of the AARP. Joe was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels and also a volunteer helper of the Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean Bakehorn of Wabash; two daughters, Linda Sue (Gary) Vigar of Fort Myers, Fla., and Pamela (Tim) Harman of Union, Mich.; eight grandchildren, Gerald Vigar Jr. of Wabash, Valerie Braden of Elkins, W.Va., Rachel Vigar of Mapleton, Ill., Matthew Vigar of Irwin, Pa., Todd Houser and Jeremy Houser, both of LaFontaine, Tameka Perez of Glen Burnie, Md., and Daniel Townsend of Elkhart; 19 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Shirley Ann Shanabarger of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, LeRoy, Harold, Truman “Bud”, Paul and Ralph Bakehorn Jr.; and three sisters, Louis Thixton, Mildred Bullins and Betty Jean Brim.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 5, at Wabash Alliance Church, 1200 N. Cass St., Wabash, with Todd Render officiating. Burial will be in Mississinewa Cemetery, Somerset. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash.

The memorial guest book for Joe may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

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