Mr. Joe A. Spate, 72, of Lebanon, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon. He was born Nov. 18, 1951, in New Eagle, PA, a son of the late George and Hazel (Hoffmeister) Spate. Joe married Kristen Marble on Aug. 21, 1971, and she survives.
Joe was a stellar husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He always showed up for his family, and still attended his daughters’ life events well into their fourth decade. He told all of his friends that he “married up” and absolutely adored his wife of 52 years.
Joe’s greatest joy was helping people, be it mowing lawns, helping them move, performing home repairs, volunteering at the Lebanon Christian Church and with the Lebanon Leprechauns, and mentoring others. There was no one who met Joe who did not love him. To know Joe was to love him. He had a generous heart. One time he gave a hitchhiker his prized leather jacket and a place to sleep for the night. He was humorous, quick-witted, genuine, and everything we wish all people could be.
Joe worked as a Realtor for F.C. Tucker in Zionsville for many years. He was an avid golfer and loved his Cool Lake family and all his golfing buddies. Joe also enjoyed caring for his white yard squirrel, Beano. He never wanted pets, but always made room in his heart for whatever animals his wife brought home. His furry children, dogs Tucker and Abraham, and cat Howard, will surely miss him.
Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Kris Spate of Lebanon; daughters, Kerin (Steve) Meyer of Noblesville and Sarah (Mark) Hewitt of Lebanon; grandchildren, Eric Meyer, Libby Meyer, Josie Morrison, and Phoebe Morrison; brothers, Bill Spate and Gary (Gail) Spate, both of Florida; sister, Nancy Lusk of Shelby, OH; and sister-in-law, Ginger Spate of Colorado.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, James Spate; sister Peggy Spate; sister-in-law, Joyce Spate; and brother-in-law, Ron Lusk.
Family and friends will gather Saturday, Jan. 27, for visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the Lebanon Christian Church, 610 W. 250 N., Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Lebanon Christian Church.
