Joseph Keller Markel, 62, of Brownstown, died at 7:35 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at IU Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis.
Born Feb. 29, 1952, in Seymour, he was the son of Bruce S. Markel Jr. and Susannah Keller Markel. Both preceded him in death. He married Melanie Eaton on July 6, 1974.
He graduated from Brownstown Central High School in 1970 and from the University of Alabama in 1974 with a bachelor of arts degree. He graduated from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in December 1976 with a juris doctorate degree.
In 1976, he joined his father and brother at their family-owned law practice in Brownstown. He maintained his law practice with partner Ron Lambring until a week ago. He specialized in transactional, real estate and land and title law. He represented Brownstown Central Community Schools, Brownstown Public Library Board, the town of Brownstown, the town of Medora, Jackson County Water Utility Board and Jackson County Rural Sewage District during his law career. He was a member of Brownstown Jaycees, Hoosier Beemer's Motorcycle Club, the Lion's Club, the Elk's Club and was an Eagle Scout.
Survivors include his wife, Melanie; four daughters, Courtney (Jack) Bishop, Mobile, Alabama, Hilary (Frank) Conway, Hoboken, New Jersey, Ashley (David) Greenberg, New York, New York, and Brittney (Matt) Schelich, Nashville, Tennessee; a brother, Bruce Markel III, Brownstown; and five grandchildren, Keller, Connor and Parker Bishop, Collin Conway and Dylan Greenberg.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Brownstown United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kevin Stiles officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Zabel Funeral Home, Brownstown, and from 10 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the church.
Memorials may be given to Brownstown United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
This obituary was originally published in The Tribune (Seymour, IN).
