Joseph B. Carney

Joseph B. Carney, 89, was welcomed into Heaven on August 31, 2017. Joseph was born July 8, 1928 in Greensburg, IN into a loving family where he was the youngest of 5 children of Grace and E.O. Carney. They worked together on the farm growing corn and soybeans, in the family’s dairy operation, and at the hatchery, “Carneys” on the square across from the tree in the courthouse tower in Greensburg. Here he learned the value of positivity, patience and persistence which he drew upon all of his life.

He graduated from DePauw University with honors and afterward married his sweetheart, Connie Caylor, before attending Harvard Law School where he received his JD and graduated cum laude. Following Law School, he served his country in the US Army JAG Corps and worked in the Pentagon.
He returned to Indiana and joined Baker and Daniels in Indianapolis where he became one of the first environmental lawyers. He loved the land and worked and researched endlessly ways to reconcile the law, the corporation, and preserving nature’s balance. He was a member of the Indiana State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar Association. He served as a Fellow of the Indianapolis, Indiana and American Bar Associations and served as President of the Board of Governors of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association. He was past President of the Lawyer’s Club and a Board member of Environmental Quality Control, Inc. and the Advisory Committee for the Indianapolis Air pollution Control Board. In addition, he engaged in frequent environmental debate with colleagues and his children. Joe’s deep commitment to the environment included designing and building a passive and active solar heated home where they welcomed family and friends since 1980.
He served as Director of the DePauw Alumni Association and he was honored as an Outstanding Graduate for his extensive service to the university.
He dedicated untold time, talent and energy to his beloved fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), serving as Archon President, Secretary and Councilor. He served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the Educational Foundation. Previously, he served as a Purple Legionnaire, Section Chief, House corporation member and President, on the Board of Chapter Advisors and as a Trustee. The International Fraternity honored Joe with its Distinguished Fiji Award.
His community involvement included a loyal membership and service to Northwood Christian Church in every leadership capacity including elder, chairman of the Board and teacher of the Middle School Sunday School Class. He served as President of the Interfaith Housing Association.
After Connie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), they took a positive and proactive approach by participating and leading the Parkinson’s Awareness Association of Central Indiana (PAACI). Through PAACI, they worked to provide hope and encouragement to people affected by PD by offering education and support.
Joe led his family on many adventures. He could make anyone laugh and made everyone feel welcome and included. He and Connie became excited about traveling and SCUBA diving. They spent many vacations discovering the incredible beauty of God’s creation under the Caribbean Sea with their children-all certified SCUBA divers. The family loved spending time together in and on the water at Lake Wawasee where Joe enjoyed sailing, water skiing and tubing with his children and grandchildren. At the lake, he passed along his passion for debate by asking good questions, challenging their thinking, a good joke and the value of diligence and good fun.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Carney, and survived by his four children Elizabeth (George), Jay (Beth), Julia, and Sarah (Nathan), and his eleven grandchildren: Liesl (Adam), Hayden, and Faith Carney, Joseph (Anna), Sarah Beth, Rebecca, and Benjamin Comfort, and Jennifer, Rachael, Holly, and Heather Kempfer.

The family would like to recognize with deep gratitude the friendship and loving care provided by his friend Margaret Taylor, his physician Dr. Malaz Boustani, and his committed caregivers.

Visitation will be held at Flanner and Buchanan – Broad Ripple on Thursday, September 7 from 4 – 8 pm. Funeral services will be celebrated at Northwood Christian Church at 11:00 am on Friday, September 8, with a one hour visitation prior to the service. Burial will be at Hanover cemetery, Morristown, Indiana following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: PAACI or to support Dr. Malaz Boustani’s work at the Sandra Eskenazi Center for Brain Care Innovation, ( http://eskenazihealthfoundation.org ).