Joseph H. Baxter

Joe passed peacefully, receiving his heavenly reward on July 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in his

Sweetser, Indiana home, surrounded by his daughters and his wife. He was born to Howard and

Julia (Judy) Baxter in Marion, Indiana on March 31, 1956. A 1974 graduate of Oak Hill High

School, he owned a landscaping and yard service, worked for the Sweetser Street Department

and was an employee of Amcast Automotive. He married Lori Smith of Fairmount on October

24, 1981, and for 42 years they traveled and camped extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad.

He was a member of the Sweetser United Methodist Church, the Sweetser Lions Club and the

Marion Aero Club. He and Lori spent their winters after retirement in Rockledge, Florida. Joe

enjoyed collecting 1970s vinyl and researching WWII history, cooking, playing shuffleboard and

building models.

While he was a man of few words, he expressed himself through acts of service like helping the

Sweetser Lions Club at events; volunteering with them at the Mississinewa 1812 was a particular

favorite. He also enjoyed cooking and groundskeeping at his church, and doing custom

household projects for friends and family.

Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Brittney Baxter (Josh Springer) of

Indianapolis and Kaylee Baxter (Dylan Berg) of Chicago. A sister, Sara Steckbeck (Jerry) of

Carmel, a sister-in-law, Lisa Weller (Rod) of Summitville and his mother-in-law, Donna Smith

of Marion. Other survivors include Darvin Tomes and Janet Rocky of Lake Placid, Florida and

Denny and Donna Jean Day of Jasper, Indiana, plus several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Lloyd Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be sent to the Sweetser United

Methodist Church, Box #316, Sweetser, Indiana 46987 or the Sweetser Lions Club, Box #193,

Sweetser, Indiana 46987.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the College Park Chapel of  Armes-Hunt Funeral Home in Marion.  Visitation will be held at the Sweetser United Methodist Church on July 24 from 2:00 to 7:00

p.m. A funeral service will also be at the Church on July 25 at 11:00 a.m., with an additional

visitation opportunity an hour before the service. The service will be officiated by Rev. Greg

Hiatt, Pastor Dan Dempsey and Rev. Gary Lewis. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery,

north of Sweetser.

Online Condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com