Joseph Lester Gibson, also known as "Smokin Joe", 87, of Birmingham, Alabama and formerly of Franklin and Greenwood, IN passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Floyd E. "Tut" Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, AL.

He was born May 20, 1937 in Montgomery, Daviess County, Indiana to Chester William Gibson and Mary Catherine (Gootee) Gibson.  He married Mary Lou (Donahue) Gibson on November 1, 1958 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Montgomery, IN; she preceded him in death on November 1, 2020.

Joseph was a 1955 graduate of Lawrenceville High School in Lawrenceville, IL.

He was a United States Navy Veteran having served on the USS Parle.

Joseph retired from Allison Transmission in Indianapolis as a skilled assembler in the Automatic Transmission assembly area.  He previously had worked at Allison Coupon and White Arts Printing Company in Indianapolis.

He was a member of Sts. Francis and Clare Catholic Church in Greenwood. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed feeding birds, growing rose bushes, gardening, and for the last several years, his boxing classes through Rock Steady Boxing to help fight Parkinson's disease.

Survivors include a son Kevin J. Gibson of Franklin, IN, two daughters Karen L. Flynn (Brian) of Alabaster, AL and Kristine A. Rodman (Christopher) of Jacksonville, FL, five grandchildren Danielle Markwell (Shad) of Jacksonville, FL, Abigail DeFord (Jacob) of Noblesville, IN, Kelsey Gibson of Greenwood, IN, Gabriel Rodman of Jacksonville, FL and Greyson Rodman of Jacksonville, FL, five great grandchildren Tyler Markwell, Tank DeFord, Amelia Markwell, and Palmer Hennig, and Charlotte Hennig both of Greenwood, IN, a brother James Gibson (Gertrude) of Lawrenceville, IL, step grandchildren Trevor Flynn of Birmingham, AL and Lindsey Lillie (Colin) of Alabaster, AL and a step great grandchild baby Lillie due in August of 2025.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his siblings Ernie Gibson, Margaret Rusch, William Gibson and infant Edwin Chester Gibson.

Father Tim DeCrane and Deacon Ron Pirau will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.saintrose.net, click on live stream.  Friends may call Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 4PM until 8PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN where a rosary service will be conducted at 6:30PM.  Visitation will also take place on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 9:30AM until service time at the church.

A graveside service will follow on Monday at 4PM at St. Peters Cemetery, 103 South Hillside Drive in Montgomery, IN with military honors to be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard and the American Legion – VFW Honor Guard Washington, IN.

His family wishes to express their gratitude for the care provided by "Smokin Joe's" many caregivers over the past several years.

The family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Parkinson Foundation, 14350 Mundy Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060 or at www.indianaparkinson.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.