Joe Frederick

Joe W. Frederick, 92, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Born in Laketon, Ind., on Aug. 13, 1931, Joe was the son of John H. and Marjory H. (Ferry) Frederick. Joe graduated from Plymouth High School in 1949. In 1953, he graduated from Manchester College with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned his master’s degree from Indiana University in 1960. In 1973, he completed a specialist degree from Ball State University.

Joe’s storied teaching career began in the summer of 1952 at Culver Military Academy, a job he loved during most summers until 1964.

Joe was a United States Army veteran proudly serving our country in Germany from 1953 to 1955.

Joe wed the love of his life, Lorraine Lee Lawrence, on Aug. 26, 1956.

His first full-time teaching opportunity was as a sixth-grade teacher at Webster School in Plymouth. In the fall of 1960, Joe accepted a teaching/principal position at Concord East Side School in Elkhart. In 1963, he became the principal of Concord Central School, where he remained until 1969. In 1969, Joe was promoted to assistant superintendent of Concord Community Schools and remained there until 1977. During his tenure he also taught night classes at Bethel College, Indiana University South Bend and Manchester College. Joe’s final career stop was in Columbia City, where he was named Whitley County superintendent in 1977.

After 39 years as an educator, Joe retired in 1991. When a reporter for the Columbia City Post Mail asked him what he would do after retiring, Joe simply replied, “I’m going fishing.”

During his lifetime, Joe spent countless hours fishing on Beaver Dam Lake and if the fish weren’t biting, he retreated to the house to watch his beloved baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. He was also an avid fan of the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Blackhawks, and IU men’s basketball.

Joe was a member of Beaver Dam United Methodist Church (now Beaver Dam Community Church) where he led a campaign to begin summer lakeside services, which still continue today. Joe was instrumental in keeping the Beaver Dam/Loon Lake Conservation Club in existence. Many folks around the lake jokingly called Joe the mayor of Beaver Dam Lake.

Joe was also an avid bridge player. He played in various bridge clubs throughout the years and even taught beginners bridge classes in Fort Wayne and Plymouth.

Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorrie, of 67 years, and his daughters, Chris J. Cox (Doug Reecer), Elkhart, and Karen K. (James) Tharp, Warsaw. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Lucas (Jennifer) Cox, Rachel (Nolan) Jones, Leah (Craig) Downey, Tyler Cox, Lindsay (Matt) Utter and Lorian Tharp, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sue A. Read.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Beaver Dam Community Church, 9798 W. 1000S., Akron, with Pastor Butch Troke officiating.

The interment will take place following the service in the New Oak Hill Cemetery, 1300 Chester St., Plymouth.

Visitation hours will be held from 10:30 a.m. to the time of the service at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Beaver Dam/Loon Lake Conservation Club or to the Beaver Dam Community Church for Wheels on Fire to assist the community members who are fighting cancer.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.