ELKHART -- Joseph A. "Joe" Barone Sr., 66, of Elkhart, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Friday (July 24, 2009) at Hospice House in Elkhart.

Joe was born on Nov. 11, 1942, in Charleroi, Pa., to the late Andrew A. and Helen D. (Shark) Barone. On Feb. 11, 1995, he married Elizabeth A. Mishler.

She survives, along with a son, Joseph A. (Kimberly) Barone Jr. of Elkhart; three daughters, Dawn M. (Greg) Collings of Walkerton, Chantel (Bob) Boone of Elkhart, and Tonya (Ricci) Haupt of Green Bay, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Andrew "Butch" Barone.

Joseph, or "Joe" to his family and friends, was making deliveries for Classic Transport in Elkhart prior to his health declining. He was the former owner/operator of Agostino's Restaurant in Elkhart, and for more than 30 years Joe did layout and design for Petersen Graphics and Kenner Printing, both in South Bend.

He was a 1959 graduate of Donora (Pa.) High School and proudly served his county in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. He was honorably discharged in 1963.

Joe was a member and past exalted ruler of the PBOE Elkhart Elks Lodge 425. He was also a member of Four Lakes Country Club in Edwardsburg, Mich., and the Heritage Palms and Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla., where he enjoyed going in the winter months. A former assistant baseball coach for Memorial High School, he was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame fan.

Calling will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where a parish rosary will be prayed starting at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Wednesday Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol. The Rev. Robert "Bob" VanKempen will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart, with military honors by DAV Chapter 19 and the Navy honors burial detail.

Please direct memorials to United Cancer Services of Elkhart Co., 23971 U.S. 33, Elkhart, 46517, or St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol, 46507. To share a memory of Joe or to leave the family a condolence, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.