Joel Harville

ALEXANDRIA, IN – At 2:03 AM on Sunday, August 15, 2021, from Community Hospital in Anderson Joel L. Harville met Jesus face to face after his 83 year journey on this earth was finished.

He was born on December 24, 1937, in Muddy Pond, Tennessee to Lonzo and Viola (Phillips) Harville and resided in Alexandria for most of his lifetime, recently relocating to Anderson. Joel committed himself to providing for his family by working any job he could find through the years. A few of those places included National Gypsum, Johns Manville, Rock-Wool, Green’s Construction and he retired from Abex (ABC Rail) formerly of Anderson. There were many other jobs through the years. In 1972 Joel made the most important decision of his life when he committed himself to Jesus Christ while working in a buffing shop. If you ever spoke with Joel you would hear how his life was changed for the better on that day. Joel was a member of the former Calvary Community Church in Alexandria where he drove the church bus, bowled on the church bowling league, and made friendships that lasted a lifetime. More recently he attended Florida Station Church of God where he added many more dear friends. In his younger, healthier years Joel enjoyed annual trips to his home in Tennessee, playing croquet, horseshoes, and fishing. He loved time on his swing, singing made up songs and telling stories. Most of all Joel loved his precious Alice more than any one can imagine and time with his family which was the pride of his life.

Joel leaves his legacy through his family which includes his devoted wife of 65 years Alice (Cummings) Harville. Together they had six children, Theresa (Dean) Winn, Beverly (Ray) Duckworth, Timothy Joel Harville, JoEllen (Vance) Howze, Jenny Harville, Wanda (Bob) Havlin. The legacy grew as his family added 7 grandsons, 1 granddaughter and their spouses. Joel was amazed as his family added 11 great grandchildren who brought much joy and laughter to his world.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son-Timothy Joel Harville, daughter and son-in-law-Wanda and Bob Havlin, son-in-law-Ray Duckworth, brothers-Samuel Harville, Billy Howard, Osborn Howard and Oscar Howard, sisters-Naomi Brown, Grace (Jim) Street and Josephine “Josie” Johnson.

Services honoring Joel’s life, legacy and faith will be private with Pastor Jerry Hilligoss and family members participating. The service will be live streamed at 1 pm on Monday, August 23, 2021, and can be viewed at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/joel-harville. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery in Alexandria. The Harville family would like to receive family and friends from 4 pm to 6 pm Sunday, August 22, 2021, in the Owens Funeral Home, 412 North Harrison Street, Alexandria, IN 46001.To maintain personal and public safety during these challenging times, Joel’s family is asking the following 1) All attendees must be masked, 2) Social distancing must be observed, 3) Hand sanitation must be observed, 4) Personal contact be held to an absolute minimum.

The family would like to thank Dr. Saiful Kabir, pulmonologist, for his care of Joel over the years and the staff of Community Hospital, Anderson for their care during Joel’s final days.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Florida Station Church of God, 1045 West 375 North, Anderson, IN 46011to help finish the concrete job that Joel’s buddy Bill Hilligoss started.

Mike and Connie Owens and staff of Owens Memorial Services in Alexandria are honored to care for Joel and serve the Harville family.

on-line condolences: www.owensmemorialservices.com