Joseph Wayne Ives, Sr., 81, of Bowling Green, KY died Friday, November 23, 2018 at home.

The Warren County Native was born April 22, 1937 in Rockfield, Kentucky. A son of the late Robert Taylor and Fleety Bell Jenkins Ives. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Herman Taylor Ives and Leonard Louis Ives; two sisters Sylvia Elizabeth Ives and Mildred Fleety Ives.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mindie Lou Wallenmeyer Ives, who he married on September 7, 1963. Additional survivors include his only son, Joseph Wayne Ives, Jr. (Kim Elmore Ives) grandchildren include Kacy Beth Ives-Brown (Ben Brown) of Scottsville, KY, Brandy Nicole Ives and Lafe Hunter Ives. His only daughter, Mary Alison Ives, D.V.M and her son / grandson John Ryan Ives all of Bowling Green,  one sister, Rachel Ann Gilland (Robert Lee) and their son Jerry Lee Gilland (Denise). And several nieces and nephews.

Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cremation was chosen with remains to be spread on top of the hill of his residence/ farm of 50 years. No visitation at the funeral home is scheduled.

Joe Ives graduated from Warren County High School and attended trade school. He served in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion. He had numerous jobs serving people in Warren County before becoming supervisor over maintenance of the street department for the City of Bowling Green Public Works for 25 years.

His passion was farming. He truly enjoyed raising burley tobacco, beef cattle, goats and harvesting hay. Every day after work he had coffee with his wife and then the family went to check and feed the cattle before he sat down to a home cooked meal by his wonderful partner/wife for 56 years. He is certainly going to be missed by his family and his lap companion Peggy Sue and all his other 8 dogs.