Joe Thomas Avery

SERVICES: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Four Seasons Retirement Community Chapel, 1901 Taylor Road, Columbus, IN 47203 with Rev. Phyllis Hawkins & Rev. Lisa Cottingham officiating. VISITATION: 11:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday at Four Seasons ChapelMEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, American Cancer Society or First United Methodist ChurchFINAL RESTING PLACE: Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard To view Joe's memorial video, please CLICK HERE Joe Thomas Avery, 94, of Taylor Road, died at 6:56 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Joe was born January 18, 1922, in Bartholomew County, the son of Joseph E. and Hulda (Thomas) Avery.  On September 29, 1945 he married the love of his life, Vivian (Schaw) Avery, and after 65 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 27, 2010.  Joe attended Carnegie Tech and graduated from DePauw University where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.  He was a Fingerprint Expert with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC, and a veteran of the United States Army.  Joe was the President of The Avery Press, and Chairman of the Board of Columbus Business Forms. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church. Joe was also a member of Bartholomew County Historical Society, Kiwanis, and on the Board of Directors of Citizens Building and Loan. Joe played violin and appreciated all genres of music; he took piano lessons at the age of 71.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and dear friends, and loved vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, Hilton Head Island, and Sanibel Island.  Joe was an avid golfer, enjoyed leisurely drives in rural Indiana, and playing pool with his buddies at Four Seasons.  Survivors include daughters, Sharon (Ray) Zeigler of Columbus, IN, Linda (Bill) Browne of Culver, IN, and Patricia G. Avery of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Cathne (Rob) Holliday, Emily (Brian) Doak, Amy (Rob) Mason, Michael (Krista) Browne; great-grandchildren, Ashley Holliday, Hannah Holliday, Will Holliday, Hunter Doak, Addison Doak, Grace Blouin, William Mason, and James Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vivian, and sister Julia Morris.