Templeton - Daniel Joseph "Joe" Morris, 73, of Templeton and had been residing in rural Independence, passed away at his rural Independence residence on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 7:45 a.m.
Joe, as he was known to family and friends, was born in San Antonio, TX on September 30, 1951.  He was the son of the late Joseph Jackson Morris and Cloris (Rayles) Lockard.  He was raised in Lafayette, graduating from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1969.  He later moved to Templeton and lived there most of his life until illness forced him to reside at rural Independence.
Joe formerly worked for a short time at Purdue University and later at Rostone in Lafayette until his retirement.
In 1971 Joe entered the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1979.  He continued to serve his country through the Naval Reserves for the next 16 years.  At the time of his honorable discharge, he had attained the  rank of Engineman Petty Officer 3rd Class.
Joe was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Otterbein.  He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 1154 of Lafayette.
On September 1, 1980, Joe married Carol S. Oswalt in Lafayette, IN.  He leaves behind his wife, Carol of 44 years along with a daughter, Cindy (David) Byington, of South Carolina; a step daughter, Lori Roberts, Attica; two step sons, Larry (Elizabeth) Roberts, Fountaintown, IN and Troy (Catherine) Roberts, Penrose, CO; three sisters, Patty Wolf, Lafayette; Gina (Butch) Parker, Stockwell, IN and Nancy Sterrett, Monon, IN; several grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Linda McMillan.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Maus Funeral Home, Attica on Thursday, December 5th, from 3:00 p.m. until military honors by the American Legion Post 52 of Attica and the U.S. Navy at 5:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.