Mr. Joseph Dean “Joe” Breedlove, 60, of Lebanon, passed away Nov. 8, 2019.
Joe was born Dec. 20, 1958 in Lebanon, a son of Paul W. and Anne (Vanausdall) Breedlove.
Joe was a 1977 graduate of Lebanon High School, where he was a member of the football team, school-record holding swimmer, self-proclaimed drummer and proud cheerleader. Joe met many of his lifelong friends at LHS. He was a “go getter” from the start. Running a newspaper route through Northfield before school and helping his Granddad maintain the School Corporation.
After graduation, Joe was hired by the Boone County REMC. This is where his love for the electrical industry grew. In 1980, he was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local #481. In 1991, he was asked to “hang-up” his tools and serve the members of the IBEW, Local #481 as a Business Referral Agent. This is where Joe found his life’s calling… serving the Union and Labor movement. His love and passion to serve grew until November 2003 where Joe was appointed to the Indiana State AFL-CIO as the Secretary Treasurer. Joe marched, lobbied on the state house floor, organized numerous events to make sure the rights of Hoosier workers were heard.
Joe was an incredible father, a loving son, a protective brother, and a hilarious friend. He most enjoyed teasing his children, loving on his grandbaby, and eating breakfast with his dad. Joe loved to golf, float on Racoon Lake, and Thursday night poker.
Joe will be missed and loved by his parents Paul and Anne; daughter, Whitney (Jacob) King; son, Garrett Breedlove; granddaughter, Jalynn; sisters, Terena (Jerry G.) Bowen and Paula (Ron) Sedam; the mother of his children, Debbie Breedlove; and special friend, Linda Butler.
Family and friends will gather Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 for visitation from 2-8 p.m. and the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Joe will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website www.strawmyerdrury.com where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message. Memorial contributions may be made to IBEW, Local #481 Help Fund or “The Trust of Joe Breedlove’s Grandchildren.”
