Joseph Martin Rose

Joseph Martin Rose (84) of Bloomingdale, IN died surrounded by family in his home. He was born August 12, 1940 to Glenn and Elizabeth (Martin) Rose in Rockville, IN. Both preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Judy (Wilson) Rose, his sons Mike Rose and Marty Rose (Beverly) of Rockville, and daughter Michele Pittard (Jeff) of Carmel, IN. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Michael Rose (Bethany), Matt Rose (Holiday), Kristy Delp, Kelly Delp, Kalyn Rose Griffin (Tyler), Regan Pittard Guisewite (Tucker), Reid Pittard (Madelyn), Rylie Pittard, and nine great-grandchildren: Scarlett and Vivian Rose; Paige, Ozzie, and Crew Rose; Dorothy Griffin; Rook, Ripken, and Ridley Guisewite; with a 10th great-grandchild due in early August. Also surviving are his brother James Rose (Janice) of Syracuse, IN; brother Carver Rose (Rita) of Brazil, IN; sister Lynda (Rose) Browne of San Antonio, TX; brothers-in-law John and Paul Wilson of Parke County. Surviving as well are all his beloved Rose and Wilson nieces and nephews. His brother-in-law, Thomas Browne also preceded him in death. A farmer by heart and profession, he spent one of his last days on earth taking a long drive around Parke County checking the crops and seeing his sons working. Joe graduated from Montezuma High School in 1958 and attended Purdue University before beginning his career as a farmer. As a youth, his family farmed and raised dairy cattle, which he showed as a 10-year 4-H member. His involvement continued when his children were in 4-H showing beef cattle, which they took to open shows across the country. Joe and Judy lived for seven years in New Orleans, LA, where Joe worked for Coca-Cola, and they returned to Parke County in 1990 where he worked for Parke Seeds and then for Rose Brothers Farms. Joe served in various leadership positions on the Parke County Merit Board, the Southwest Parke School Board, the Parke County Fair Board, and the Parke County Young Farmers. He was also a member of the Parke County Masonic Lodge, Parke County Low 12, Parke County Elks, and Terre Haute Scottish Rite, and Shriners. Known for his bright smile and quick wit, Joe will be missed for his generous heart, his sense of humor, and his gift of storytelling. Visitation will be held at Gooch Funeral Home, 112 West Howard Street, Rockville on Thursday July 17th from 1pm-4pm with a short memorial service beginning at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, because the family avidly supports organ donation, they encourage everyone to register to be a donor in honor of Joe's memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.goochfuneralhome.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.