Joseph C. Harcourt, 71, passed away at his home in Falmouth, Indiana, surrounded by his entire family and beloved Great Danes, on Sunday, July 24, 2022. While his passing was unfortunately fast and furious, Joe, ever the most popular man this side of the Mississippi, was visited by countless family members and lifelong friends prior, which he thoroughly loved.
Survived by his younger sisters Jean Ann (Terry) Showalter, Janis Sue (Tim) Long, niece Chrissy (Shane) Calkin, nephew Mike (Megan) Showalter and several great nieces and nephews. Joe was the first child born to Norma Jean (Smith) and Conrad Calla Harcourt on March 19, 1951, in Milroy, Indiana. Many can attest, the world became a more lively and talkative place that day and will be a bit quieter now.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Lucy (Aldridge) Harcourt and their four children, Vincent Harcourt, Lucy (Jake Taylor) Harcourt, Edward (Shannon Creasy) Harcourt, and Constance (Seth Konkle) Harcourt and beloved family friend, Elizabeth (Kiz) Webster.
The proud life-long Milroy resident attended Milroy High School prior to graduating from Rushville Consolidated High School in 1969. Joe then went on to graduate with a Business Administration degree from Ball State University in 1973.
Upon graduation, Joe naturally used his God-given talent for talking and selling as he moved to California and became a salesman for Harcourt Outlines. Joe and his sales team sold school supplies across the country including the popular silver pencil dispensing machines. Joe commonly joked, he made his living off 6-to-12 year olds who loved his product.
Ever the ultimate salesman, which he would agree, he assumed the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Harcourt Outlines. It is no secret and an understatement to say Joe loved everything about Harcourt Outlines - the history, the employees, the customers and mentoring others in business.
When Joe wasn’t on the road selling or watching an obscure old western movie, he enjoyed being with his family, laughing, telling stories, talking nonstop on the phone, making multiple trips a day to Dollar General or the gas station, and he absolutely loved bragging about the amount of Speedy Rewards Points he had acquired as well as how many nights he had spent in a Hampton Inn during his sales career.
He will be greatly missed as he was known, loved, respected and impacted so many people -- locally and nationally. Most of all, Joe will always be remembered for his signature look wearing a Harcourt Outlines hat and shirt, a huge smile, a Swisher Sweet cigar in his mouth, and some unpredictable comment to garner a laugh.
Services for Joseph will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the Milroy Christian Church. Viewing will take place from 1 to 4 P.M. with funeral services starting at 4 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Gabriel School in Connersville or St. Mary’s School in Rushville. Please light a candle and share a memory with the family at www.ToddFuneralHome.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Joseph C. Harcourt, please visit our floral store.