Joseph F. Ference, Jr. of Connersville passed away on May 15, 2026, while a patient of Ried Health in Richmond at the age of 76.  Joseph was born in Trenton, New Jersey on December 2, 1949, the son of Joseph Frank Ference, Sr. and Florence Turburt Ference.

He served in the United States Army for 15 years from 1967 to 1982 where he was stationed in Vietnam and Germany  and served in the Army Reserve  from 1982 to 1888.  He was an tactical transportation helicopter mechanic and a combat engineer.

After his honorable discharge he worked in security at Pilkington in Shelbyville, and Roots Blower in Connersville.  He also worked at Randall-Textron in Morristown.  While not working, you could find Joseph playing on his computer or watching his favorite shows on TV.  Above all, and most importantly, he loved spending time with his family.

On June 20, 1970, in Clarksville, Tennessee, he was united in marriage to the former Janet Marie Ritter.  They shared nearly 56 years of marriage prior to his death.  Together they created a loving family of four, blessed with two sons.

Along with is wife, he is survived by a son, Jeffrey (Tammey) Ference; grandchildren, Tyler Ference, Bryson Ference, Hendrix Ference Davidson, Jennifer (Terrell) Burton, Chelsea Ference and Jessica Ference; great grandchildren, Zoey, Nayla, Luna, and Liam, as well as his brothers, Lewis (Joanie) Ference and William (Jennifer) Ference.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, James Ference who passed in 2017.

No services are currently scheduled.

Urban Winkler Funeral Home is honored to assist Joseph's family with the arrangements.