Joseph W. King, Jr.

JOSEPH W. KING, JR.

Joe was born December 30, 1934, in Indianapolis to the late Joseph W. and Elsa (Miller) King. He died peacefully on September 3, 2025, surrounded by family.

He married Evelyn (Mueller) King on October 3, 1959. Together they raised ten wonderful children and were happily married until Evelyn’s death on January 5, 1994. 

Joe grew up on the westside of Indianapolis, where he attended St. Anthony grade school and, later, Speedway public schools. He graduated from Cathedral High School and then went on to honorably serve in the U.S. Army. Following that, he entered the IBEW Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Program and spent his career as a Journeyman Electrician with IBEW Local 481.

Joe was an amazing father and husband. Joe and Evelyn never missed their children’s events, whether sports, musicals and plays, science fairs, spelling bees . . . you name it! Joe loved square dancing with Evelyn, card playing, and any and all family-focused parties and events, including lively game nights — well, except when the commodity traders got too loud playing "Pit."

Joe lived his faith serving others, actively volunteering, especially in his local parish, where he could be found at every summer festival, running the grill or game booths. The bright lights under the festival tents ran safely thanks to Joe King’s donation of electrical skills, labor, and safety oversight.

Retirement brought the opportunity for Joe to spend even more time with family and friends, shooting pool, playing cards, and learning to golf. He attended daily Mass and was a founding member of “the breakfast club.” Joe was often the designated chauffeur, routinely driving grandchildren to school and friends to various appointments, day trips, and group outings.

As a member of the IBEW Local 481 Retirees Club, Joe proudly worked with the other retirees each year to ready the lights for their fellow union electricians to create the Circle of Lights for Indianapolis’ World’s Largest Christmas Tree at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indy.

Joe was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church and was a former member of St. Anthony parish and Assumption parish, where he served for many years on its parish council. He was an active member of the Marion County Fish and Game Association for many years and, more recently, American Legion Post 500.

Joe’s trademark greeting was the enthusiastic “What’s the good word?!” And he loved hearing responses, which often led to fun or interesting conversations. Never losing his sense of humor, Joe often reminded us that he was Joe King — “and I’m not joking!”

Joe is survived by children Kathleen (Greg) Totton, Mary (Charley) Todd, Karen King, Anne King, Maureen (Steve Stewart) King, Dolores (Tony) Record, Monica Gilbrech, and Daniel (Sheila May) King; grandchildren Bridget, Emily, Theresa, Megan, Jonathan, Rebecca, Eric, Gunnar, Jackson, Kaila, Braeden, Makayla, Julia, Libby, and Audrey; great grandchildren Elliot, Evelyn, Caidan, Theodore, Rylan, Raylee, Allison, and Jordan; sister Sharon (Derald) Cooper; daughter-in-law Caroline King; brother-in-law Bob Petraits; sister-in-law Charlene King; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his beloved wife, Evelyn, he was preceded in death by children Patrick King and David King as well as siblings Terry King, Rosemary King, Nora Petraits, and Michael King.

Visitation is 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, at Usher Funeral Home and 9:00–10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, at St. Christopher Catholic Church. A Rosary Service will be held at 6:45pm Friday at the funeral home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 at St. Christopher Catholic Church followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be offered at usherfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to Autism Speaks at autismspeaks.org.

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