Joseph “Joey” V. Auffart, age 76, of Jasper

Joseph “Joey” V. Auffart, age 76, of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. 

Joe was born on September 27, 1949, to Martin and Henrietta (Bachman) Auffart. He married Lyra Bueltel in 1972 in St. Henry Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on September 14, 2024. 

When his mother passed at his birth, Joe was raised by his aunt and uncle, Herb and Emma Bartley. 

Joe was a graduate from Ireland, High School, “Home of the Spuds.” He received his bachelor’s degree from Milwaukee.   

He started the pet store, “Seven Seas” in Jasper. He managed the Holland Feed Mill. He worked at Farm Bureau for 27 years and retired as an insurance agent from Schatz Insurance Agency. 

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland, the Shriners International and the Freemasons. 

Joe enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling, horse shows, Wednesday “chicken day” at the Rock, and coaching pony league for his son. He loved following his children and grandchildren in their sporting events. He was a long-time breeder of boxer dogs. He was an avid IU basketball and St Louis Cardinals baseball fan. 

He is survived by two children: Jill (Ryan) Cooper, Huntingburg; Adam (Nina) Auffart, Jasper; three grandchildren: Masen (Hannah) Cooper, Jaelyn Cooper and fiancé Ty McCory and Lilly Auffart and his beloved dog, Ruby Jane 

He is preceded in death by his parents and Aunt and Uncle, Herb and Emma Bartley, four sisters: Ruthie Auffart, Emma Jean Reutman, Mary Heberer, Laverne Simmons and Esther Kellams, three brothers: James, Robert and Anthony Auffart. 

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph V. Auffart will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland, Indiana. A burial of ashes will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. (service time) at the church on Friday. 

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Dubois County Humane Society, or a favorite charity.