Joseph Robert Nice
December 22, 2020 at 9:58 p.m.
By -
He was born May 10, 1929, in Cannelton, to William and Dorothy Overheiser Nice.
Joe attended Indiana University on a football scholarship. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and played football at the Great Lakes Naval Base and at Bremmington, Wash. He was a Quartermaster 2nd Class and served on the Bataan and the Oriskany Ships. He would navigate the ships upon request of the captain.
Joe first married Joy Wertenberger. She died in 1978. He then married Elaine Robbins Vanlandingham in Wabash on June 18, 1982.
He managed the W.R. Thomas Department Store in Warsaw and Angola, owned Hoosier Muffler Shop, worked for Bertsch Vending in Wabash and, after retirement, was vice president of Helicopter Service in Indianapolis. Joe ran for Wabash County sheriff and after his defeat in the election, he was elected to the Wabash County Council.
He was a member of the College Corner Brethren Church, a former member of the Lions Club and Forresters Club, and a life member of the Wabash VFW Post 286 and the Warsaw Masonic Lodge. Joe enjoyed sailboating and traveled through the locks from Tennessee to Mississippi and back. He made headlines when he and a friend dove with a handmade bell to the bottom of Center Lake in Kosciusko County.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Nice, of North Manchester; four children: Merlin (Susan) Nice, of Fort Wayne; Daniel (Susie) Nice, of Mobile, Ala.; David (Jane) Nice, of Paulding, Ohio; and Rebecca (Mike) Jamrog, of Midland, Mich.; stepson, Jay (Kimberly) Vanlandingham, of North Manchester; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two stepgrandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no services. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
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The memorial guest book for Joseph may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
He was born May 10, 1929, in Cannelton, to William and Dorothy Overheiser Nice.
Joe attended Indiana University on a football scholarship. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and played football at the Great Lakes Naval Base and at Bremmington, Wash. He was a Quartermaster 2nd Class and served on the Bataan and the Oriskany Ships. He would navigate the ships upon request of the captain.
Joe first married Joy Wertenberger. She died in 1978. He then married Elaine Robbins Vanlandingham in Wabash on June 18, 1982.
He managed the W.R. Thomas Department Store in Warsaw and Angola, owned Hoosier Muffler Shop, worked for Bertsch Vending in Wabash and, after retirement, was vice president of Helicopter Service in Indianapolis. Joe ran for Wabash County sheriff and after his defeat in the election, he was elected to the Wabash County Council.
He was a member of the College Corner Brethren Church, a former member of the Lions Club and Forresters Club, and a life member of the Wabash VFW Post 286 and the Warsaw Masonic Lodge. Joe enjoyed sailboating and traveled through the locks from Tennessee to Mississippi and back. He made headlines when he and a friend dove with a handmade bell to the bottom of Center Lake in Kosciusko County.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Nice, of North Manchester; four children: Merlin (Susan) Nice, of Fort Wayne; Daniel (Susie) Nice, of Mobile, Ala.; David (Jane) Nice, of Paulding, Ohio; and Rebecca (Mike) Jamrog, of Midland, Mich.; stepson, Jay (Kimberly) Vanlandingham, of North Manchester; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two stepgrandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no services. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
*****
The memorial guest book for Joseph may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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