Meredith Joe Reynolds

Meredith Joe Reynolds, 96, died peacefully in his Noblesville home on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.  He was born on June 12, 1921, in Hamilton County, Indiana, and reared on farms in the Castleton and Fishers area. Following graduation from Fishers High School in1939, he worked on the family farm until he joined the United States Army in 1942. He served in Europe during World War II, reaching the rank of Sergeant.   
When he returned home at the end of the war, Joe became a full-time farmer, working first with his father in Fishers. He was married to Mona Aileen Jones on May 17, 1947, and together they purchased farm land in Noblesville and gradually built their farm while rearing their four children. Eventually, they established sizable farmland holdings in north central Indiana and Illinois. They enjoyed traveling in the United States and in Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand, where they often visited other farm families. Joe retired from active farming at the age of 83, and the couple moved from their 1885 farm house to a new home in Noblesville.
Joe was known for his careful tending of his Holstein dairy herd and hogs, his acres of corn and soybeans, his keen eye for productive land and his generosity. He was never too tired or too busy to help a neighbor in need, loan equipment to a fellow farmer, pull a passerby's car out of a snow drift or catch up on the news with a friend who stopped by to visit. He was a loyal customer of his eldest brother's business establishment, Reynolds Farm Equipment, and insisted on patronizing Fishers and Noblesville-based businesses and medical professionals whenever possible.
Joe enjoyed collecting farm antiques of all types, especially tractors; vintage cars; and John Deere toys and memorabilia. He learned to hook rugs and created them for his family members, garnering a blue ribbon at the Indiana State Fair for one of his masterpieces.
He was a life-long member of the Fishers United Methodist Church, a 75-year member of the Fishers Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite and various other organizations, and a generous supporter of several charitable entities. Recently he traveled to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight and was recognized for his military service in the Carmel Fourth of July Parade.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mona; parents, Irene Castetter Reynolds and Arzell Washington Reynolds Sr.; brothers, Arzell Washington Reynolds Jr., Jack Reynolds, Jerel Reynolds and Jay Reynolds; sisters, Joy Reynolds Wilson and June Reynolds Rhoads; son-in-law, Charles (Chip) Porter; and two nephews.
He is survived by his children, Nancy Reynolds Porter, Donna Reynolds (David Whitman), Jerry Reynolds (Julia Stephanus), and Brian Reynolds (Margie Huber); grandchildren, Eric Porter, Meredith Reynolds, Lauren Reynolds Kocal (Jake), Kelsey Reynolds, John Whitman and Chris Whitman; a great-grandson, Henry Kocal; brothers, James Reynolds and Jon F. Reynolds (Karen); and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Archie Kerr and Greg Willman, who have been as close to Joe as family, for their countless kindnesses and enduring friendship; to his devoted and compassionate care giver of several years, Michael Hollowell; to others who cared for Joe in the last several months, especially Carole Holman and Harry Mann; to Senior Home Companions; and to the professionals and care givers of Clarity Care Advocates.
Calling will be at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, Fishers, on Thursday, November 2, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 3. Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 11:00 a.m., with interment at Highland Cemetery, Fishers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fishers United Methodist Church, 9691 East 116th Street, Fishers, IN 46037 or to the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral Foundation, 650 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.