March 25, 1928 — Feb. 26, 2015

Joseph Warren Lewis, 86, of Vandalia, died peacefully, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born March 25, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Robert and Sarah (Fletcher) Lewis, the second oldest of nine children. His parents moved from Chicago, Illinois to Bangor, Michigan where Joe graduated from South Haven High School. He married Theaster Willis in June, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois — a marriage that lasted almost 60 years until her death in January 2007. He moved his wife and family to Huntsville, Alabama where their two children were born. He served in the United States Army from Feb. 20, 1952 until Feb. 19, 1954 when he was given an honorable release.

Following Joe’s military service, he and his wife moved to Gary, Indiana where they were very active members of Saint Timothy Church for more than thirty years, where he and his wife Theaster sang in the choir. Joe was very handy with his hands doing carpentry and mechanical work. He was a Foreman Mechanic at Inland Steel in Gary, Indiana for many years. Having an entrepreneur spirit he also opened a barbecue business in Gary, which had a brief run.

In their later years, Joe and Theaster moved to Cassopolis, Michigan and became members of Chain Lake Missionary Baptist Church. They also joined music groups at Lake Michigan College performing concerts for the general public. Joe will be remembered for his easy going manner.

Joe will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Michelle Regina Lewis of Atlanta, Georgia; one son, Darrell Brian (Detona) Lewis of Lithia Springs, Georgia; six grandchildren, Jemail Lewis of Quincy, Massachusetts, Mercedes Worthy, Remy Worthy, and Kaylah Lewis, all of Lithia Springs, Georgia, Rafi Lewis of Atlanta, Georgia, Moksha Lewis Johnson of Lithonia Georgia; one great grandson, Christian Johnson; three sisters, Dorothy Miller of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Georgia Johnson of Lansing, Michigan, Joan Brown of Chicago, Illinois; three brothers, Fletcher (Jean) Lewis of Grand Prairie, Texas, John Lewis of Chicago, Illinois, and Brian Lewis of Georgia; one brother in law, Theodore (Lula) Willis, Jr. of Riverdale , Illinois; and a host of nieces and nephews, and cousins who cherish his memory.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Theaster; one sister, Paullyn Parks; and one brother, Cliff Lewis.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, March 4, 2015 from 10 a.m.. until time of service at 11 a.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, with Pastor Norman Tubbs officiating. There will be a wake service Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Mr. Lewis will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Theaster, in Calvin Township Cemetery, when he will be accorded Military Honors.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.