Joe L. Valentine, 86, of Mishawaka, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Joe was born February 22, 1935, in Mishawaka, to the late Leland and Thelma (Baker) Valentine. He was a graduate of Mishawaka High School and served in the US Army and Reserves from 1957 to 1963.

Joe married Mary Alice Grusis on June 22, 1957 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka. The couple made Mishawaka their home.

Joe was employed for many years at Miles Laboratories which later became Bayer and he retired in 1998. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and assisted with funeral luncheons and wherever needed at church. He was an avid Indianapolis 500 Race fan. Joe enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud every evening. He loved sitting outside in the sun and also making model cars. Joe loved people and always put others before himself and found joy in helping others. Once a month he would meet fellow retirees for breakfast and he also liked meeting friends each day for lunch at Burger King.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice, in 2003.

Joe loved his family and those surviving include three daughters, Mary Jo Valentine, Theresa (Dan) Day and Barbara Valentine; and two granddaughters, Isabelle Marie and Marissa Ann Valentine.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, December 10, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, with Rev. John Eze officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Visitation will be from 5 – 7 pm on Thursday with a prayer service at 7 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka. Visitation is also 9:30 – 10:30 am on Friday in church.

Memorials are suggested to Queen of Peace Church.