Joseph M. Fernandez, age 76, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Spring Mill Rehabilitation Center in Merrillville, Ind. after a hard-fought battle with bone cancer. He was born on January 9, 1940 in Gary to the late Rafael and Carmen (nee Perez) Fernandez. He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Clawson-Fernandez of Hobart; daughters Linda (Jim) Spice and Terri Clawson; grandchildren Catrina and Aaron Clayton, Andrea Clawson, William Matthews, Claudia and Calliope Spice, and seven great grandchildren, all of Milwaukee, Wis.; brother Ralph (Lee Stanko-Powers) Fernandez, of Lake Station; and numerous family members and friends who adored Papa Joe.

Joe was a 1958 graduate of Tolleston High School in Gary, where he was senior class vice president, and took pride in helping to organize his class reunions. He retired from U.S. Steel In 2003 after 42 years and remained a proud member of USW Local 1066. Joe cherished every moment while golfing, traveling, attending music concerts, enjoying a new restaurant, and talking current events, politics, and finances. If you sat next to him on a bench, you wouldn't leave without warm conversation and a new friend. He was a master teacher of life, sharing a richness of knowledge that will define his legacy with family, friends, and especially his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, with a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 2, at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd, Hobart, Ind. Fr. Frank Torres will officiate. A luncheon will follow Friday's service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's name to Spring Mill Rehabilitation Center Life Enrichment Fund, 101 W. 87th Ave., Merrillville, IN., 46410, attn: Goran Prentoski, would be appreciated. The family thanks Joe's physicians, nurses, and all of the kind staff at Spring Mill for taking care of our Papa Joe.