Joseph Durward True Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph Durward True, Jr. Born July 31, 1930 Orleans Indiana. Died August 28, 2020 at his home in Bloomington Indiana at the age of 90. Joe is survived by his wife Geraldine Maddox True, his sister Nighel Isley, his children Jennifer Collins, Pat True(Sarah), Jay True(Jennifer), Jim True(Rebecca), Darcy True Chupa-Pedersen(Eric), Joseph Kimble True(Sandy), Leesa True-Smith(L.B.), Kyle Ghinga(Frank), and known as Papaw to Grandchildren Parker Collins(Katie), Caleb True(Gina), Kyle True(Erin), Kate True, Madison True, Taylor Kinser(Kurt), Hayley Schilling(Aaron), Jessica True, Connor True, Rebecca Garcia, Isabel Garcia, Donovan Keith-Reeves, Megan Chupa, Dillon Chupa, Jeff Chupa (Beth), Caylee Harris (Brandon), Colin True-Smith (Kandy), Courtney Amicon (Tyler), Callie Janor (Josh) and Greg True. Great Grandchildren PJ True, Maddox True, Piper True, Hudson True, Riley Nicholl, Rian Nicholl, Lucas Chupa, Cole Chupa, Ethan Chupa, Harrison Chupa, Patrick Janor, Bryan Janor, Molly Janor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Hazel True, sister Connie Montgomery, and nephew Larry Isley. The son of Joseph Durward True, Sr. and Hazel Irene (Todd) True, Joe was born in Orleans, Indiana. Joe’s father, Joseph “Bud” D. True, Sr. owned a poultry business. Joe, his parents, and sisters, Nighel and Connie, all moved to Bedford when he was five. The family rented a house on 22nd street for a year and then bought a house on R street, later moving to M street. Joe attended Stalker elementary school. Joe had a paper route, one of many jobs he would have during his youth. He knew he wanted to be an architect after his first drafting class in junior high. Joe attended Bedford High School and played on the baseball and basketball teams. The 1948 Bedford high school basketball team was ranked first in the state but lost in an upset at sectionals. Joe graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a degree in architecture, and his first job out of college was in Indianapolis with Lennox, Mathews, Simmons and Ford. Later he took a position with SIECO, Southern Indiana Engineering Company based out of Columbus Indiana. When SIECO opened an office in Bloomington, he volunteered to work there. SIECO rented office space in the basement of the Kirkwood Manor building downtown where SOMA coffee is currently located. Joe then took a position with Indiana University Architect’s Office where he oversaw the construction of many of the buildings on the IU Bloomington campus and IU regional Campuses. On the side, he had a thirty-plus year career as an architect and designed buildings for businesses and residential homes throughout Bloomington and southern Indiana. He and Gerry owned a house boat with two other families on Lake Monroe and enjoyed having friends and family out on the boat. Joe was an avid golfer and received a life time membership to the IU golf course for his retirement. On July 18, 1980, Joe had a hole in one on hole number 7 at the IU golf course. Again, on August 25, 1985, Joe had a hole in one on hole number 15 at Cascades golf course in Bloomington. He influenced the lives of his grandchildren with his love of golf and music, especially teaching golf to anyone who wanted to learn. After retiring from IU in 1994, he oversaw the expansion and renovation of the Monroe County Public Library which was completed in 1997. Joe and Gerry loved Hilton Head SC, they spent many weeks there every spring and fall after his retirement. He was a founding member and the president of their timeshare board of directors and would often go early to the board meetings to meet other members to get in a round of golf. Always a joker, Joe enjoyed telling the timeshare developer, whose last name is “Trew,” that he spelled his name wrong. There are many things to admire about Joe. He worked hard but always had time for family. He taught us that if you really put your mind to something, anything is possible. He loved being outdoors whether he was golfing or working in the yard. Joe was a closet comedian, a joke teller, and a champion hugger. He was above all a family man who adored his wife, who was also his high school sweetheart. He loved and was close to his children. The buttons of his shirt popped with pride for his grandchildren and he supported their endeavors throughout his life. He and Gerry attended every game, recital or event that they could possibly get to. Joe will be missed by all who met him, as a man who talked to everyone, who could make an old friend laugh and a stranger smile. We will all try to follow the example he set. His family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or IU Health Bloomington Hospice in his memory. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.

Tributes

Joseph Durward True Jr.

July 31, 1930 - August 28, 2020