Joseph George Deal

Joseph George Deal, 74, North Manchester, IN died at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2017 in Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. He was born March 28, 1942 the son of Ray and Marietta (Bruch) Deal. He first married Penny M. Speicher on November 4, 1969. She passed away on March 11, 1999. He then married Penny J. French on December 24, 1999. She survives. Joe is survived by sons, Joseph L. (Jennifer) Deal of Evans, Georgia, R. Dane (Jill) Simcoe and daughter, Alexis (Gary) Young, North Manchester. He is also survived by nine grandchildren Adrienne Josephine Deal, Estella May Deal, Grant Wilson Deal, Jalynn Dale Simcoe, Ava-Marie Clare Simcoe, Lincoln Dean Young, Christian Dale Young, Isabella Danielle Young and Eden Drea Young. Sisters, Ruby (Larry) Smith and Donna Ottenger and many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack White, Wayne White, Glenn White, and Kenneth White. A graduate of the class of 1961 of Clear Creek High School, Huntington, IN; Joe followed high school by working at Peabody Seating Company before enlisting in the United States Marine Corp. From October 1966 through April 1967 he served HMM-163, Ridge Runners, in-country as a crew chief. During his tour he was awarded 14 Air Medals for Meritorious Service in Vietnam and the Winged "S" Air Rescue Emblem for his lifesaving mission with a Sikorsky helicopter rescuing five Navy personnel from the Ocean. Joe was very proud to serve his country as a Marine. In 2015, the town of Roanoke recognized Joe for his service by selecting him as the honored Veteran for the Freedom on Main Celebration. After his discharge from the service, Joe returned to North Manchester and began working for Manchester Tool and Die. He was employed with the company for 32 years. Joe had creative as well as technical abilities and applied those in design concepts both for work and hobby projects. He enjoyed teaching others the mechanics of how things are made and why the process works. His favorite past time was fishing, which was very tranquil in comparison to his earlier past time of race car driver. His childhood years were spent in Indianapolis. He often talked about going to the Boys Club and talking to the engineers of the large locomotives at the roundabout in Indianapolis. Joe enjoyed life with a passion. He felt that being in nature was being in the presence of God... the perfect place to have a one to one talk. Joe attended the First Brethren Church in North Manchester. Viewing will be Monday, January 16 from 2:00 - 8:00 at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, January 17 at 10:30 at the First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore Street, North Manchester with viewing one hour prior to the service. For those who wish to honor the memory of Joe Deal, memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611. McKee Mortuary, North Manchester is in charge of the services. To send a private condolence to the Deal family, use the condolence link on the McKee Mortuary homepage.