Joel Gerald Finkelstein

Joel Gerald Finkelstein, age 79, of Otisco, IN, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022, at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, IN.

He was born on December 1, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, to Hyman and Rose Finkelstein.  After graduating high school, Joel went into the Air Force and honorably served for 4 years.  While in the Air Force he married his wife, Marlene, and they moved to Miramar, FL, after separating from the Air Force.  While in South Florida, he worked for several newspapers as a printer and then worked at A.D. Weiss for many years.  In 1992, Joel moved to Charlestown, and then Otisco, IN, where he worked for Rhodes, Inc.  When not with family, Joel spent many days umpiring for the Charlestown Little League.

Joel retired from Rhodes and enjoyed several years of waking up late and enjoying time with his wife and grandchildren.  However, the retired life didn’t fit his style too long because Joel went back to work for Sam’s and then Kroger.  Joel enjoyed working for Kroger in their produce department and continued to work there until December 2020, when he got his new baby, a pure-bred German Shepherd by the name of “Lady.”  Joel and Lady were basically inseparable from day one.

Joel is preceded in death by his wife, Marlene, of 52 years.  Survivors include his two children, David Finkelstein of Otisco, and Susan Haymon of Floyds Knobs; grandchildren include Kathryn (Steven) Haley of Floyds Knobs, and Kiel (Erin) Haymon of Manor, TX.  Joel also has two great-grandchildren, Declan and Genevieve.

Memorial Services will be at 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Grayson Funeral Home in Charlestown.  The visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday.

Following the Memorial Service, the family will gather at First Baptist Church in Charlestown for fellowship and sharing of memories.