Joseph Timothy DeCroes

Joseph Timothy DeCroes, known to childhood friends as "Timmy", was born May 25, 1941 in Bloomington, Indiana to Samuel L DeCroes and Josephine Kerr. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Sue. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and was co-captain of the Irish football team. He was a member of the Marine Corp. He received an associates degree from IU in General Studies in 2015. He worked a variety of jobs but was most proud of the successful poker machine business he ran for years with his good buddies Eric and Tom. Joe is survived by his brother, Samuel DeCroes , sister in law, Gerry DeCroes, and nephews and nieces, David, Danny, Ricky, and Donna DeCroes and Ginny Crooke. Most obituaries are about business success, college degrees, and accomplishments...but Joe would want his memoirs to be about who he strived to be and the relationship he had with others. He enjoyed a good hot cup of coffee. He loved good books and good conversation. He was influenced by a variety of philosophers, living closely with the lessons he learned from "Course in Miracles" and from writings of "Science of Mind." Joe could stretch a dollar, come up with creative ways to make a dollar, and when he had a dollar, he would willingly give it away to someone in need, even if it was his last. He was sneaky with pillow fights, loved to play tricks, and could find the perfect trinket for a friend when they needed a good luck charm. He could cuss, but rarely in anger, mostly as exclamations in humorous stories. Joe never married or had kids but Joe made friends that were family. Joe played an important part of each one of his friends life, from inspiring, encouraging, and even pushing them to better themselves and take advantage of opportunities that helped lead to success; from starting businesses to health to education to not for profits. He was a mentor, a messenger, promoter, a jack of all trades. He always seemed to stay in the background, not wanting any credit, even though it was well deserved. TQ, Rebekah, Eric, Kate, Freddie, Jessica and Stacy can each share a colorful story that illustrates how essential he was to their own success. He will always remain in their heart! Joe would have his higher power speak to him when he would drive on the highway... He called him Big Al, which stands for alpha "the beginning." Big Al shared wise words with Joe, and Joe freely shared these messages with his friends to encourage them and remind them how to live. A few quotes from Big Al were, "problems are the rough edges of opportunities," "Never buy a dream - build one," or "if you do what you do, don't be surprised if you get what you get," and "the answer is change your mind." Joe fought cancer but did not let it crush his humor, and his caring and fun spirit. In leiu of flowers or donations, Joe would most likely request that you have a good sense of humor, be kind to those around you, and help someone in need and tell them, Joe sent you!

Tributes

Joseph Timothy DeCroes

May 25, 1941 - September 27, 2015