Joel Roberts

Joel David Roberts, born April 29, 1946, in Evansville, Indiana. 

Joel lived a life defined by faith, service, community and a loving devotion to family and friends. He was the son of Douglas and Ruth (Graves) Roberts and grew up in Winchester, Indiana, where he attended Lee L. Driver High School.

Joel met the love of his life, Connie Haworth, in the seventh grade — a bond that would shape the rest of his life. They were married on Sept. 15, 1967, beginning a partnership marked by love, faith and happiness.

Joel attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, earning a degree in civil engineering. While there, he played on the Rose-Hulman golf team and formed lifelong friendships through his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. Following graduation, Joel and Connie moved to Indianapolis, where he began working at Indiana Bell while attending law school at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. During this time, they welcomed three daughters.

After completing law school, Joel relocated to Portland, Indiana, where he practiced law at Clamme and Roberts, served as a deputy prosecutor, and later was appointed Superior Court Judge in Jay County. Joel served with distinction as Jay Superior Court Judge for 20 years. Following his retirement, he continued to serve the people of Indiana as a Special Judge throughout the state. In recognition of his service and character, Joel was honored with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award.

Joel was deeply committed to his community. He volunteered extensively with numerous organizations, including the Rotary Club, Cincinnatus League, Knights of Columbus, Arts Place, Jay Community Center and The Portland Foundation. His faith was central to his life. He was a devoted parishioner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a lector.

An avid golfer, Joel also loved reading, playing the guitar, singing, and watching sports — especially Indiana University athletics, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Reds. He cherished traveling with Connie and treasured time spent with family and friends. Above all, Joel was an extraordinarily devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, and was adored by all who were closest to him.

In recent years, Joel and Connie moved to Westfield, Indiana, to be closer to family and became members of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.

Joel is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Connie Roberts; his brother, Brad (Stacy) Roberts; his sister, Polly Roberts; his daughters, Kim (Chris) Janak, Lexie (Patrick) Hughes and Kristen (Brad) Robling; and his cherished grandchildren Joel, John and Joshua Janak; Quinn, Jenna and Noah Hughes; and Nick, Sophia, Jacqueline and Luke Robling.

Those who knew Joel will remember him as kind, generous with his time and talents, humble, and fiercely devoted to his family. He was deeply grounded in his Catholic faith and known for his witty, dry sense of humor. Joel was profoundly loved by his wife, daughters, grandchildren and friends, and he will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 17102 Spring Mill Road, Westfield, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Portland Foundation, portlandfoundation.org, 107 S. Meridian St., Portland, IN 47371.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.