On October 5th, life-long Terre Haute resident and business owner, Joseph John Carney, passed away at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 18th, 1934, to Bernard and Marguerite Hegarty Carney, Joe was the third of three boys.
After attending St. Patrick grade school, Joe matriculated to Wiley High School, graduating in 1952. While at Wiley, he was a member of the basketball and baseball teams. Following high school, he attended Indiana State University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Business. A member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he was Vice President of his freshman class. During his four years of college, Joe was a member of the United States Naval Reserve, enlisting in the US Navy after graduation. He served two years on the USS Pandemus, a repair ship based in Charleston, South Carolina. After being discharged in 1958, Joseph joined his family business, Carney Tire Company, a retail tire company, started by his father in 1923. Upon his father’s retirement, Joe and his brother, Bernie, became equal partners in the ownership of the business. He retired in 2013 when the property at 2131 Wabash was sold.
In 1964, Joe married Barbara Kasper. Their two daughters, Kathleen and Janet, were a consistent source of pride and joy. In his later years, their love, support, and dedication were constant.
Both as a participant and a spectator, Joe loved sports. During the summer of 1947 when the professional baseball team, Terre Haute Phillies, began playing at Memorial Stadium, Joe was the lucky first batboy of the team and the envy of his friends. He was an avid golfer, playing at both the Country Club of Terre Haute, where he scored two holes in one on the 16th hole, and the Elks Country Club. He also bowled at the Elks for many years on a team sponsored by Carney Tire Company. Handball was another game where, at the local YMCA, Joe was known to be very competitive. Throughout his adult life, Joseph was committed to ISU athletics. A long-time season ticket holder, he was a member of the former ISU Varsity Club. Attending the 1979 Final Four Basketball Tournament in Salt Lake City with his family was a highlight of his many years as a fan.
An important part of Joe’s life was Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. There, he volunteered at the Saint Joseph food pantry.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara Kasper Carney, daughters Kathleen Carney Marshall of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Janet Carney Cooper (Timothy) of Terre Haute, Indiana. He is also survived by grandchildren Emily Marshall Greenspan (Brett) of Chicago, Illinois, John Marshall of Chicago, Illinois, Maxwell Cooper (Katie) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Mallory Cooper Cox (Ethan) of Terre Haute, Indiana, and great-granddaughter Grace Greenspan. He is also survived by a brother, Bernard W. Carney, and cousin, Jane Ann Faubion, both of Terre Haute, and several nieces and nephews. Joseph was predeceased by his parents, brother James Carney, and sister-in-law Marian Carney.
Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice, the Veteran’s Administration, and devoted caregivers Patty, Meleah, and Leigh Ann.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1:00 PM, Monday, October 9, 2023 in St. Joseph University Parish, 113 South 5th Street. Visitation is scheduled prior to Mass from 12:00 Noon -1:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. If desired, donations may be made to Saint Joseph University Parish Food Pantry, 113 S 5th St, Terre Haute, IN 47807 or Gentiva Hosice, 4122 S. 7th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47802. Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.