Joe William Appleton, 79, of Logansport, died at 2:35 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Miller's Merry Manor, Logansport.

Born Aug. 10, 1929, in Carroll County, he was the son of Jay and Opal Lois Gray Appleton. He was married on June 19, 1955, in Clymers, to Shelby J. Fincher, who survives.

Mr. Appleton was a retired farmer and a greeter for KMart.

He was a 50-plus year member of the Clymers United Methodist Church, where he held several offices. He was also a 50-plus year member of the Eagles Lodge #323, Tipton Masonic Lodge #33 F&AM, Fidelity Chapter #58 Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Wayne, and Mizpah Temple of Fort Wayne.

He also served on the Clymers Volunteer Fire Department and on the Clinton Township (Cass County) Township Advisory Board.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Carol Lynn Stewart of Burrows and Sherry K. Hecox (husband: Kenny) of McKinney, Texas; two sisters, Kathleen Michael of Camden and Jane Slusser (husband: Bernard) of Logansport; three brothers, Thomas Appleton (wife: Jean) of Delphi, Charles Appleton (wife: Carolyn) of Burrows, and Harold Appleton (wife: Marcia) of Walton; five grandchildren, Jason, Kylie and Ty Stewart and Chet and Bryce Hecox; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were a son, Jimmie Joe Appleton; a brother, Robert Appleton; a son-in-law, Jason "Fred" Stewart; and a grandson, Ayden Hecox.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Gundrum Funeral Home, Logansport. Pastor Kevin Drane, Pastor Mark Gaylor and Frankie Pilley will officiate. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Logansport. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Clymer's United Methodist Church, Clymer's VFD, or The Shrine Crippled Children's hospitals.