Joseph K Huntsman

Joseph "Joe" K. Huntsman, 80, of Albion, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Story Point West, with his family at his side.

Joe was born at Lucky Hospital in Wolf Lake, On October 2, 1945, to the late Carl and Helen (Miller) Huntsman. He proudly grew up in Wolf Lake, graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1963, and earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1968.

Throughout his life, Joe embodied a deep passion for teaching and an unwavering commitment to his students. For many years, he dedicated himself to the Smith-Green Community Schools, where he inspired countless students through his engaging lessons in agriculture and his enthusiasm for livestock and soil judging. His frankness and dedication made a lasting impression on his students, and he took great pride in helping them realize their potential.

Joe was a man of many talents, with a particular fondness for music. His love for singing Southern gospel and hymns enriched his life, and he often found joy in collaborating with friends at local churches. A skilled saxophonist, he fondly reminisced about the musical moments he shared with others, although the piano remained an unfulfilled aspiration. His passions extended beyond teaching, as he actively engaged in agriculture, raising pigs, sheep, horses, and cows for his children to show in 4-H.

Loyal to his values rooted in his Baptist upbringing, Joe remained actively involved in his community well into retirement. He served on the Green Center Community Board, announced at 4-H fair auctions in Noble and Whitley Counties, and took pride in following his father's footsteps on the Christian Chapel Cemetery Board of Directors. He remained an influential figure in the FFA community, participating in state and district events and supporting students in their educational pursuits, particularly through the Building Trades Scholarship at Smith-Green.

Joe's presence was felt far and wide; he proudly announced home football games as the "voice of Busco" and was a familiar advocate for his fellow teachers in the local Classroom Teachers' Association. Many students fondly recall the lively Euchre club he hosted during lunch hours, as well as the joy he found in mushroom hunting and farming. In his later years, he treasured the opportunity to drive a tractor for his friends, Mike and Myan Earnhart, which connected him to the land his ancestors had called home for over a century.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Beverly Huntsman, with whom he shared 55 wonderful years of marriage; his three children, Jeff (Julie) Huntsman, Jermy (Amy) Huntsman, and Jennifer (Tyson) Mellon; his brothers, Steven (Jeni) Huntsman and Hugh Huntsman; his sisters, Cynthia (Tom) Haller and Anne (Richard) Simon; his seven grandchildren, Cayman, Logan, Jackson, Parker, Brooklynn, Sydney, and Carson.

A memorial service will be held in Joe's honor at the Churubusco United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with calling hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be at the Christian Chapel Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Ronald McDonald House or Donor's Choice.

Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.