Joe L. Lewis

Joe L. Lewis, Jr. 41, of Decatur, passed away, Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Homegoing Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, 106 E. St. Mary’s St., Decatur with Rev. Ronnie Coleman officiating.  Private burial will follow at Harrison Cemetery in Decatur.  Friends may visit with the family from Noon until 1:00 Saturday at the Church.  Memorial donations may be made to the family.  Those wishing to sign Joe’s Memory Book online may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Joe was born February 6, 1977 in Gary, Indiana to Joe L. Lewis, Sr. & Velma D. Kelley.  He graduated from Sand Creek High School in Sand Creek, Michigan in 1995, and from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana with a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 1999.  He attended Tri-State on a football scholarship and was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  Joe was employed as an engineer at Raytheon in Indianapolis until his health forced his retirement.  He was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, and in his free time enjoyed building & operating radio-controlled planes & drones.  Joe had a vast assortment of electronic & mechanical hand tools, just in case there was a need.  Most importantly, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ at Emmanuel COGIC.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Joe is survived by his mother Velma Kelley of Decatur; his children Graecyn Erma Lewis & Joe Lee Lewis, III of ShoLow, AZ; two brothers-John (Morgan) Lewis of Addison, MI, Joshua (Shenika) Lewis of Gary, IN; six sisters-Jennifer Lewis of Germany, Jessica Lewis of New York City, Corie Lewis of San Diego, Kate (Dexter) Dew of San Diego, Samantha Lewis of Idaho, Kerry (Brian) Martin of Washington State; the mother of his children Kari Lewis of ShoLow, AZ; his long-time special friend Joe Kledzik of Indianapolis; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his father Joe L. Lewis, Sr.