Joe Harry Conarroe

Joe Conarroe of Indianapolis, age 87, was called peacefully into God’s more immediate Presence on Sunday, December 15, 2019.  He is survived by his daughter Sarah Milesi of Indianapolis; his daughter Rhonda Reed of Texas; his son Ben Conarroe of Vista, California; granddaughters Valentine Baker and her husband Chauncey and Ransome Brown of Indianapolis; granddaughter Shree Sue (and her children) and grandson Mark Best.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 63 years, Sue; by his parents, Harry and Catherine Conarroe, and by his infant daughter Belinda.

Joe was born and raised in Pike Township, Indiana and graduated from Pike High School in 1950. He attended Butler University for one year before transferring to Purdue.  He was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. Joe married Sue on October 24, 1954 in Jonesboro, Indiana and she joined him at his station in the Army near San Francisco, California.   They returned to the Midwest to attend Bible college in Lincoln, Illinois in 1955.  Joe was ordained a Christian minister at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis in 1958.  Together, they served churches in Rutland, Illinois; Burnettsville, Indiana; Elizaville, Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cambridge City, Indiana; Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Worthington, Indiana.  The last years of his career were spent in the Indianapolis Public Schools; he retired in 2007.

Sue and Joe moved to Crestwood Village Retirement Community in July of 2014.  There, Joe led a Bible study.  His keen sense of humor earned him the title of “The Comedian”.  Joe is a member of Chapel Rock Christian Church.  He was an avid sports fan of Indiana basketball, and of the Indianapolis Colts.

Joe enjoyed mainly good physical health until the summer of 2019, when he was diagnosed with stage four Sarcoma.  This cancer caused a rapid increase in his previously diagnosed dementia. Joe’s family rejoices with him in the release from his pain and confusion and in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 18th at 3pm at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.