Joe W. Blythe

LOGANSPORT - Joe W. Blythe, age 67, of San Juan Capistrano, California, and formerly of Logansport, Ind., died Thursday morning, July 13, 2006, at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California.

He was born October 19, 1938, in Evansville to Louis Blythe and Marie (Branham) Blythe. On March 8, 2002, he was married to Bonnie Brown, who survives.

Joe was retired from the United States Air Force in 1972, and received his business degree from the University of Evansville. He and his family moved to Logansport in 1979, when he purchased Mer-Del's Quality Foods. He owned the business until it was sold to Tippecanoe Foods. He retired and moved to California where he was enjoying the temperate weather and no snow, allowing him to play golf any time.

He is survived by daughter, Sarah Pilles, and her husband, Bob, and children, Isaac Sallee, Gabriel Johnson, and Grace Pilles, of Logansport; Mike and Amanda Pilles Taylor and Kjari, of New Hampshire; Jonathan Pilles, of Carmel; daughter, Rachel Mourning and her husband, Troy, and daughter, Madelynne, of Logansport; son, Jacob Blythe and his wife, Dana, and daughters, Lauren, Hanna and Olivia, of Columbus, Ind.; stepson, Bryan Brown, of Ladera Ranch, California; mother-in-law, Viola Burk, of California; brother, William Blythe and his wife, Sue, of Evansville and former wife, Julie Storckman, of Logansport.

He was preceded in death by a brother, George Blythe.

Services are 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2006, at Kroeger Funeral Home, Logansport, with Pastor Marvin Hinkle officiating. Burial is on Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Blythe Chapel Cemetery in Owensville, Indiana at 2 p.m. CDT, with full military honors.

Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2006, at Kroeger Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be placed online at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Kroeger Funeral Home, 711 East Market Street, Logansport, Indiana 46947, 574-722-6000.