Joseph Walt Elliott

Joseph Walt Elliott, 91, of Bedford, passed away at 4:58 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 6, 1934, in St. Bernice, Indiana, to Zachariah and Edith Fern (Clark) Elliott. He was one of nine children. His parents and siblings, John Elliott, Herb Elliott, Benny Elliott, Jim Elliott, Dave Elliott, Howard ("Doodad") Elliott, Larry Elliott, and Mary Alice Aliano, all preceded him in death. He married Johanna Sohn on June 5, 1955, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2020.

Joe is survived by two sons, Joseph Sohn (Sherri) Elliott of Bedford, and Thomas Stephen (Laura) Elliott of Bloomington; six grandchildren, Joseph Wayne Elliott, Hannamarie (Matt) York, Olivya Elliott, Christina (Steven) Curry, Nicholas Elliott, and Ashley (Cole) Bradley; three great-grandchildren, Ashlynn York, Jaxon York, and Joelle Curry; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe grew up in Lawrence County and first attended Shawswick Elementary/Junior High and then transferred to Bedford High School in his freshman year, graduating with the class of 1952. After graduation he attended Indiana University in 1952-53, where he was part of the I.U. Freshman Basketball team – which was the same season that I.U. won their second National Championship. The following school year, Joe transferred to Purdue University, where he was a member of the Purdue Basketball team and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

After attending Purdue, Joe went to work for his father-in-law, Joseph T. Sohn, at The Bedford Foundry & Machine Company in the Engineering Department and was later promoted to Chief Estimator and subsequently Sales Manager. In the spring of 1962, Joe and his late father-in-law, Joseph T. Sohn, co-founded Indiana Steel & Engineering Corp., which is still owned and operated by his two sons. Since its inception, Indiana Steel & Engineering has manufactured more than 2,000 steel highway bridges, many various steel structure projects, and continued the legacy of manufacturing the Bedford Loadmaster Overhead Traveling Cranes throughout the Midwest.

Joe played an integral part in the manufacturing community by serving on the Indiana Manufacturers Association Board of Directors from 1967-1972 and 1988-2011. In 1994, he served as the Chairman of the Board. Joe was one of only two people in the history of the IMA to serve as Chairman of IMA, Chairman of IMASERV, and Chairman of IMPAC. In 2006, Joe received the Indiana Manufacturer's David H. Rariden Chairman Award for exemplary service to the manufacturing community, by IMA President Patrick Kiely. In March of 2017, Joe was again honored for his service to the IMA by receiving the Manufacturing Leadership Award from the IMA President, Brian Burton, in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership to the Indiana Manufacturers Association.

Joe and his wife Johanna were members of the IDEAL Club for over 65 years, as well as members of the Bedford Dance Club.

Joe served as past Director of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded the 2018 Community Service Award. He joined the Kiwanis Club of Bedford in 1965, to which he is now an Honorary Life Member, was a past Board Member of the Purdue University Advisory Board for Technical Assistance, and was an over 50-year member of the Bedford Elks Lodge #826.

Upon its inception, Joe was a founding member and played an integral part in the Bedford Urban Enterprise Board. He was also past President of the Thornton Memorial Boys Club and actively served on the Board for 25 years, of which he was a lifetime member. He coached youth football and basketball teams during that time. Joe supported the Bedford Recreation Foundation since its inception in 1979.

Over the years, Joe was always willing to support, personally and through Indiana Steel, many other charitable causes in the community. He has left a strong legacy of community support.

In the later years of Joe's life, his favorite pastimes were playing golf at Otis Park, where one of his personal achievements was to play for 50 consecutive years in the Bedford Men's City Golf Tournament – a goal he accomplished. Most importantly, Joe enjoyed his time with family and friends.

Pallbearers for Joe will be J.W. Elliott, Nicholas Elliott, Brian Elliott, Damon Bailey, Ed Voris, and Matt York. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Elliott, Vince Aliano, Greg Aliano, Doug Aliano, Kevin Aliano, Ralph Morgan, Jon Philip Sohn, Charlie Bliss, Luzerne Guthrie, Andrew Lafferty, Ned Boyer, and Jeremy Marsh.

Funeral Services for Joseph Walt Elliott will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 818 18th Street, Bedford, IN 47421, with Bro. Jimmy Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens, Dixie Highway, Bedford.

Joe's family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and on Friday from 12:00 noon until the service hour at The Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 818 18th Street, Bedford, IN 47421.

Donations in Joe's memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford, 1504 L Street, Bedford, IN 47421, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County, 2009 19th Street, Bedford, IN 47421, or the charity of your choice.

The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen for these arrangements and to care for the family of Joseph Walt Elliott.

Memories and condolences can be shared and flowers ordered online at www.ThorneFunerals.com.