Joseph Hunter McNerney, 76, of Elkhart, IN, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at his home, surrounded by family, at 10:10 PM on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

Born January 3, 1944 at Fort Walton Beach, FL, Joe was the son of the late Betty I. (Hunter) Fager and the late Joseph W. McNerney.  He grew up in Decatur, IN, graduated from Decatur High School, and attended Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH.

He is survived by his wife, Anna (Grassley) McNerney; brother, Ray (Sheri) Fager of Angola, IN; and sister, Leanne Fager of Fort Wayne, IN.  Also surviving are his aunts, Phyllis Lehrman, Decatur, IN and Joan Hunter, Ocala, FL,  nieces and nephews, Kaley Fager, Denver, CO; Daniel (Jill) Fager, Defiance, MO, Jason Fager, Anchorage, AK, Amanda (Bryan) Pruden, Boulder, CO; brother-in-law, Michael (Dorothy) Grassley, Bowling Green, OH; and nieces Jennifer (Scott) Rosengarten, Grelton, OH; and Cathy (Scott) Smith, Portage, OH.  He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Betty and Ray Fager; his father, Joseph W. McNerney; sister, Linda Jean McNerney; Uncles, Robert Hunter  and Jake McNerney, In-Laws, Adrian and Donelda Grassley, and nephew Jacob Grassley.

First and foremost, Joe was a caring and devoted husband to his wife of 49 years, Anna (Grassley) McNerney.  They were married on May 1, 1971 at Bethlehem Christian Union Church, Wapakoneta, OH.  Joe was a very kind and generous man with a wonderful sense of humor who loved music and enjoyed golfing with his wife and friends.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He began his career at Hayes-Albion, Spencerville, OH in the Materials Management Department. Joe also enjoyed being a Farmer at their small farm near Wapakoneta, OH.   After moving to Elkhart, IN, he worked at Elkhart Door in Elkhart, IN for many years as Director of Purchasing and Materials.  Until his death, he was co-owner with his wife, Anna, of McNerney and Associates, Inc., established in 1986 in Elkhart, IN, where he focused on Human Resources Consulting.

Along with his business career, Joe was very involved in church serving on the Executive Board and teaching.  He developed and led several Worship Teams and was a talented singer and guitarist.  He was a founding member of New Song Community Church in Union, MI, a new church plant by Winding Waters Brethren Church, Elkhart, IN, where he was a member for over 20 years.

Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, OH, is handling the arrangements with a private family burial service at a later date at German Zion Cemetery, Wapakoneta, OH.

Memorials may be sent to New Song Community Church, 16050 Wayne St., Union, MI, 49130 or The Center for Hospice Care, 22579 Old US 20 East, Elkhart, IN  46516.

Condolences may be sent to Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home at tbayliff@woh.rr.com