Joseph Bailey

Joseph Reily Bailey 66, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010 in his home after a brief and valiant struggle with cancer. Joe was born at Hensley Field, Army Air Base, Dallas, Texas on March 5, 1944 and was the youngest of four sons of Doctor Edwin B. and Sarah D. Bailey. He was raised in Linton, IN (Greene County) having graduated from Linton-Stockton High School and then from Indiana State University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1967, he moved to Indianapolis where he met and married Nannette Bechtol. He worked at Indiana University Medical CenterClarian Health for 43 years in laboratory positions and at the time of his death was the Technical Coordinator in Central Processing for the Department of Pathology. Mister Bailey is survived by his wife, Nan; one daughter, Julia Slaughter (Steven), Columbus, IN and two sons, Jonathan (Sage Steele) of Canton, CT and Benjamin (Shannan) of Phoenix, AZ. He is further survived by his six grandchildren, Bailey-Ann and Harrison Slaughter, Quinn, Nicholas, Evan, Piper and soon to be seventh, Samuel Joseph Bailey. In addition he is survived by his brothers, Dr. John C. Bailey and Dr. Thomas E. Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest brother, Dr. Roger B. Bailey. Joe was a veteran of the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Sergeant and decorated for his bravery as well as injuries sustained during combat in the service of his country and fellow soldiers, but he will always be remembered as a peacemaker, counseling brother, devoted husband, loving father and caring friend. Joe's patience was surpassed only by that of Job. He was a great teacher, hunter, fisherman, fantastic musician and would do anything to see people laugh. Joe could talk for hours on end about some of the most obscure subjects around. He was knowledgeable on topics such as American and European history, warfare, literature, poetry, prose, philosophy, biblical text, grammar, writing, English, Latin, French, politics, music, hunting, fishing, carpentry, antiques, mechanics, physics, photography and anything trivia related just to name a handful. He could play a ukulele, guitar, lute, banjo, piano, harmonica, recorder, oboe, flute, mandolin, bass, fiddle and even accordion. Joe was a true renaissance man who was a unique combination of small town, common-sense living and classical education and acted as bridge suspended between different eras. He came from a family of carpenters, coal miners, doctors and even a cowboy, a fact that explains why he felt so at ease with people from all walks of life. Above all else Joe was a father who shared equally with his wife in the responsibility of raising his children, upon whom he never gave up. Requiescat in Pace. Following cremation, his memorial service will be held at Stevens Mortuary and Family Center, 5520 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN on Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service. His family requests that memorial donations be made in Joe's name to the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, 435 Limestone Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.