HARTFORD CITY – Joseph Lawrence McAtee, 95, passed away Sept. 1, 2012, in Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
He was born Oct. 1, 1916, in Hartford City, to Henry and Estella Bloxsom McAtee. On Feb. 14, 1951, in Hartford City, he married Marjorie Elizabeth Johnston, who died Nov. 26, 1999.
He was a 1934 graduate of Hartford City High School and was a World War II Navy veteran, serving in a P.T. squadron with the late John F. Kennedy. JFK went on to command P.T. 109.
He started his business in the early 1950s at the Gas & Shop located next to the old Wagon Wheel Motel, later moving to Joe’s Gas & Shop, which became Joe’s Foods. Joe’s Foods had two locations in Hartford City, one in Montpelier and one in Portland. After retiring, he built a woodworking shop, producing fine furniture.
He was a member of First Baptist Church, Oswego; Blackford Lodge 106 F&AM; Scottish Rite; Mizpah Shrine; Elks; Amvets; American Legion; and Chamber of Commerce. He was a former board member of Blackford Country Club and Pacesetter Bank and a former Blackford County councilman.
He loved to read and keep up on current events. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and relaxing at Tippecanoe Lake.
Surviving are two sons, Pat (and spouse Brenda) McAtee, Hartford City, and Kerry (and spouse Beth) McAtee, Fort Wayne; four grandchildren: Rachael, Jesse, Clay and Anna; six great-grandchildren: Hannah, Lauren, Keira, Mackenzie, Gabriel and Jaiden; and several nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters, Forrest, Morris, Jim, Pete, Catherine, Christine and Marilyn.
Services were at 11 a.m. today at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City, with Pastor Gary Colby officiating. Burial was in Twin Hills Cemetery, Pennville, with military graveside rites. ***** Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Oswego, or the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home.
Condolences may be sent via www.watersfuneralhomes.com
