CENTRAL CITY – Joseph A. Kordes, 82, of Central City passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Born June 30, 1941 Pike County, Ind. He graduated from Hazleton High School, furthered his education with Oakland City College obtaining a BS Degree in Physical Education, Biology, and Drivers Education, obtained his Masters Degree from Indiana University. He was retired from Van Diest Supply Company. Mr. Kordes was a man of many talents and interests, that included: farmer, school teacher, coach, car dealership owner, agriculture sales manager, truck puller and auctioneer. He was one of the founding members of KTPA and served as president the first two years of this organization. He was a truck puller and was inducted into the KTPA Hall of Fame this summer. Mr. Kordes served on the Muhlenberg County Fair Board for many years and was instrumental in several major projects at the ag center, he also served as the announcer for the beauty pageants and the truck and tractor pulls. He loved auctioneering and was always honored to be invited to do auctions for the schools, band and charity events. He was privileged to have been the first and only auctioneer for the ACT School for the past 10 years. He was an amazing man, loving, caring, and a friend to everyone he met.
He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel. He was First Vice President of Muhlenberg County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Greater Muhlenberg Chamber of Commerce and the Topless Cruisers Car Club. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling, fishing, and driving his corvette. His greatest love was his family. Bragging on the grandchildren, watching them pursue their passions gave him great pleasure. He was one of their biggest cheerleaders.
He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Virginia Kordes, and a brother Larry Kordes.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary Kate Kordes; daughters Lauren (Kevin) Roach of Vincennes, Ind., and Nicole (Troy) Sullivan of Winslow, Ind.; bonus children Christen (Mark) Stinnett of Lexington and Brent (Kim) Gatton of Bremen; grandchildren Bryce Roach, Breanna Roach, Joleane Altmeyer, Cassidy Altmeyer, Mackenzie (Austin) Hopkins, Madyson Stokes, Abigayle Stokes, Wyatt Gatton, Will Gatton, Reid Gatton, and Carter Stinnett; great grandchildren Izabell Ingle, and Brantley Hopkins; brother and sister-in-law David and Ladena Peay.
Funeral services were Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City with Bro Leroy Rearden and Darrin Benton officiating. Burial followed in Cherry Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Cherry Hill Cemetery Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
