Joseph Carl Elias Sr., age 94, of Elkhart, passed away at Fountainview Place Nursing Home on Sunday, May 31, 2009 of natural causes. Joseph was born February 25, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois. Joseph was united in marriage to the late Marjorie Bernice Vattum in 1939. Marjorie preceded him in death, passing away in 1999.
Surviving are his sons, Joseph (Judith) Elias Jr. of St. John''s, Florida, Paul Elias of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Daniel (Mary-Lu) Elias of Campobello, South Carolina. Also surviving are three grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. Joseph was preceded in death by his son Thomas Elias and his brother Henry Elias.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 pm Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Pastor Steven Mischke will officiate the 10:30 am funeral service at Peace Lutheran Church, 16791 Cleveland Road, Granger, IN 46530, on Friday, June 5, 2009. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.
Joseph was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1945. During his time of service, Joseph played in the Great Lakes Naval Band. Later, he was employed as the head of the finishing department at W.T. Armstrong from 1948 until his retirement in 1980. It was there that Joseph claimed he had "played more flutes than anyone who has lived" during his time testing and finishing flutes.
In addition to his career at W. T. Armstrong, Joseph played in the Elkhart and South Bend Symphonies, and was very involved with Peace Lutheran Church, of which he had been a member since the early days of the church. Joseph had a keen interest in politics and enjoyed keeping up with current events. His love of classical music, and his religious convictions defined who he was as a man. In his memory, contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Granger.
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