Joseph Leonard Brugh, 95, Rochester, Ind., passed away at 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, with family at his side. He was in the bedroom where he was born nearly a century ago. His home has been the homestead of the Brugh family for nearly 170 years, since 1848, and founded by his great-grandfather.

Born on April 26, 1919, Joe was the son of Harry and Amy Barnes Brugh. Growing up, he shared his childhood with two sisters and a brother. With an ear for music, Joe proficiently played the trumpet. As a young man, he enjoyed showing polled shorthorn steers at livestock shows. With great pride, Joe graduated with his class from Leiter’s Ford High School in 1937.

On July 23, 1939, Joe married Mildred Wentzel Brugh in Logansport. Their union of 73 years produced two sons, Randy and Jim. Over the years, the blessings of seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren were added to the family tree.

As a farmer and a father, Joe modeled a strong work ethic for his sons. Joe and Mildred worked in unison on the family farming operation in Aubbeenaubbee Township. Whether it was plowing, planting or harvesting, it was a team effort. Joe managed, bred and raised a fine herd of polled shorthorn cattle. Together, they planted a garden each spring, and she froze the garden’s bountiful harvest for family use in the winter months.

Life on the farm didn’t allow for many family vacations, but one summer they all traveled to Virginia Beach, Va. to the lighthouse at Cape Henry. In his earlier years, Joe enjoyed fishing at O’Blenis Lake in Richland Township.

Mildred and Joe were inseparable. They were a team working together and living life’s adventures for over 73 years. For 10 years, they enjoyed the warmth of the Florida sunshine wintering in Bradenton. It was here that Joe took up shuffleboard. He became accomplished and competed in tournaments, winning several. Back home on the farm, Joe built a shuffleboard court to keep his skills sharp. Through the years, they enjoyed traveling with the Culver Military Academy soccer team, cheering them on while their son Jim coached and their grandsons played on the team.

Left to cherish Joe’s memories are his two sons: Joseph (Jane) Brugh, Columbus, Texas, and Jim (Ronda) Brugh, Rochester; six grandchildren: Jason (Nicole) Brugh, Flagstaff, Ariz., Joshua Brugh, South Bend, Jim (Melissa) Brugh, Mishawaka, Audra Brugh, San Diego, Joseph Brugh, Carmel, and Rachel Whitlock, Carmel; seven great-grandchildren, Noah Whitlock, Della Whitlock, Marlee Whitlock, Sierra Brugh, Tenaya Brugh, Zander Brugh, and Addison Brugh.

Preceding Joe in death are his parents, beloved wife Mildred on Nov. 5, 2012, a grandson: Joel A. Brugh; two sisters: Donnabelle Kline and Frances E. Walsh, and a brother: Albert Brugh.

Visitation is from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W 18th Street Rochester, IN 46975.

The Gentiva Hospice Chaplain will officiate services. Interment will be in the IOOF cemetery, Rochester.