Joseph A. Elpers

Joseph A. Elpers, 65, formerly of Evansville, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Jasper, Indiana. Joey was born on April 22, 1944, to Joseph J. and Mariana Elpers. He was a kind and gentle person, always showing respect to all. He was well liked by everyone whose life he touched. Joey was a prayerful person and his Faith sustained him throughout the difficult times of his life. We loved him dearly and will truly miss him. Our hearts are deeply saddened by our loss, although we are comforted in knowing there is a joyous celebration taking place in Heaven as Joey is welcomed home. Joey enjoyed following sports events, including baseball, basketball, and football. He particularly enjoyed bowling and attending movies, especially with his brother, Eugene, who shared lots of time with him. Joey’s greatest interest was in horse racing, and he devoted much time to planning his strategy. Joey served his Country as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War. He received the Purple Heart as a result of being seriously wounded while stationed in Pleiku, South Vietnam. For the past several years, Joey was a resident of an Anderson Woods Group Home in Jasper, Indiana, where he received the loving care and companionship of their staff. Our family wishes to thank especially Lillian Parks, the Health Coordinator of Anderson Woods, for her personal, untiring dedication shown to Joey since May of 2005. We are also most grateful for all the compassionate care Joey has received from the doctors and nurses of Memorial Hospital for the past two months. Joey is survived by his mother, Mariana; four sisters and their husbands, Kathleen & Donald Will, Eileen & Jack Rausch, Carole & Wesley Ham, and Teresa & Chuck Roberts, all of Evansville; five brothers, Bernard & his wife, Aline, John & his wife, Lori, all of Haubstadt, IN, Eugene & his wife, Carol, Richard & his wife, Pauline, and Ronald Elpers, all of Evansville; and 27 nieces & nephews. Joey was preceded in death by his father, Joseph J. Elpers in June of 1995; his brother, Jerome in July of 1994; his nephew, Donald Will, Jr. in July of 1991; and two infant children of Bernard & Aline - Brian in March of 1968 and Lisa in September of 1968. A Funeral Mass for Joey will be held on Saturday, January 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vanderburgh County, Evansville, IN, Rev. Ray Brenner and Rev. Gene Schroeder officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may visit with the Family from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 1st, at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a Memorial Service held at 4:00 p.m. Friends may also visit with the Family from 9:30 a.m. on Saturday until service time at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made to Anderson Woods, P.O. Box 498, Henderson, KY 42419 or to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1236 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.

Joseph A. Elpers

April 22, 1944 - December 28, 2009