Joe C. Fraley

Joe C. Fraley, 62, began his life on March 2, 1961 Morehead, Ky, and passed away on December 27, 2023 in Muncie, Indiana. He was born to the late Fred and Arlene (Gulley) Fraley and is preceded in death by his stepmother Edith Fraley, brothers Larry, Bobby, Steve Fraley: his sister Jana Fraley; step-sister Debbi Land; nephew Darrell Fraley and niece Cara Fraley.

Joe was a free spirit who led an interesting life. He never met a stranger and loved to travel across the country. In his younger life he traveled to many places and for a short time worked on oil rigs and fishing boats in New Orleans. He was always full of stories with colorful characters and many misadventures.

In addition to his various “adventures”, Joe was also a business owner and “flea market” entrepreneur. He worked with his dad and all three of his brothers Larry, Bobby and Steve in the concrete business and he would tell stories of the times and jobs they all did together and how much he missed them.

His true love was finding treasures and selling them for a profit (although he would later say he ended up losing money), One man’s junk is another man’s treasure!!

One of his favorite times each year was going to Jeannie’s for Christmas and snatching food while we cooked. He loved movie time with Rick. It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street was his favorite. No matter how many times he saw the movie, he would say “he too had a Wonderful Life”. He talked about Becky and how he called her so much, when we would ask him why he called her so much?, he would say, “cause she always answers, and she loves me so much”.

Joe was a happy man; very seldom was he down. He loved his family and would talk about his wonderful sisters and son. He would call them many times a day!! He was always talking about how much he loved his family and how proud he was of them. Oh how he loved to tease his nephews and nieces!!!

Joe never forgot his roots. He was very thankful for the many prayers of his family that kept him safe. He was thankful for the unwavering faith and foundation in God that his life was built on. He considered that the greatest gift he had ever received.

Joe is survived by his “son”, Christian Janssen; sisters, Jeannie (Rick) Bryson and Becky (Kenny) VanSlyke; step-sister, Sandy (Elmer) Cosgrove; sisters-in law, Terry Fraley, Karen Fraley, and Judy Fraley, and brother-in-law, John Land as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel, 7355 S. State Road 109, Knightstown, IN with Pastor Kent Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in Carmel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:30-12:30 Tuesday, prior to the service. Memorial Contributions may be given to the Joe C. Fraley Memorial Fund c/o Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, 7355 S. State Rd. 109, Knightstown, IN 46148. Condolences and memories of Joe can be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .