Joseph Eugene Raper

Joseph Eugene Raper, age 69, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana, due to complications from respiratory and kidney failure. Joe was born on October 21, 1955 in South Bend, Indiana, to Harold and JoAnn (Winters) Raper.
Joe grew up in South Bend, where he attended John Adams High School, and graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Architecture and B.S. in Environmental Design. At Ball State, he met Kate (Duffy Raper) Sim, whom he married on August 2, 1980. Joe became a father in October of 1984, a role he adored. Despite the dissolution of their marriage after 21 years, Kate and Joe remained loving coparents and steadfast friends. He enjoyed playing tennis, flying kites, relaxing by the lake, reading about history, attending the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, building LEGO Architecture sets, cooking, photography, and most of all, his family.
Joe leaves behind a legacy of over 40 years of mentorship, leadership, and excellence in the field of architecture. He worked at CSO Architects for the past 28 years, and as a Principal since 2015. Throughout his years at CSO, he served in many key roles in large projects, including in the design of the new Indianapolis Airport. Prior to his work with CSO, he was employed with Cooler Group. There, as Project Manager for the historic renovation of the Indiana State Capital Building, Joe received a Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1988, the highest honor given by the Governor in the state of Indiana, recognizing individuals for "their humanity in living, loyalty in friendship, wisdom in council, and inspiration in leadership."
Joe is survived and missed by his daughter, Shari (40); his grandchildren, Jacob (11) and Emmalyn (7) Grinnell; and many cousins and chosen family members.
A funeral service for Joe will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 12:00pm at Palmer Funeral Home-Welsheimer Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00am-12:00pm, prior to the service at the funeral home. Graveside service and entombment in the mausoleum at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN, will immediately follow the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local Humane Society or to American Humane Society, 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, in honor of Joe's beloved canine companions, Snoop and Moe.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.