Joseph Lynn Buckles

Joseph Lynn Buckles, 71, passed away on January 7, 2026, from complications related to Parkinson's Disease.

He was born on April 25, 1954, to John William "Bill" Buckles and Mildred Elizabeth (Poody) Crowe Buckles, in Lafayette, Indiana. Joe attended West Point Elementary School and graduated from Southwestern High School in 1972. In 1976, he graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in English.

Upon graduation, Joe helped his dad build an addition onto the West Point home place. The skills he learned from that experience were applied when he later purchased a duplex in Chicago and completely remodeled both apartments therein. When his mother died in 2017, Joe purchased the West Point home place, moved back to West Point, and applied his construction, art, and decorating skills to remodeling the West Point home.

Joe spent most of his working life in Chicago. He earned a teaching certificate and taught 4th grade students for 20 years in the Chicago Public School system. He also tended bar for many years at Roscoe's Tavern near Wrigley Field.

To his siblings, Joe was a "gentle giant." Towering over his siblings, at over 6 feet tall, he possessed a large heart and a non-aggressive attitude toward all. He was a lifelong lover of dogs and other small animals. Having no children of his own, he reveled in gifting and playing games with his nieces and nephews. Uncle Joe was the life of their parties! In his later years, he shopped for Christmas gifts for his grand-nieces and grand-nephews, many of whom he never met, but whom he loved nevertheless.

The last 12 years of his life were consumed with Parkinson's Disease, which he did not allow to slow him down until the very last year.

Joe is survived by his brother, Steven (Janice) Buckles, of West Point; and two sisters, Patricia Yost, of State College, PA, and Kimberly (Paul) Henry, of Indianapolis. Also surviving are 7 nieces and nephews; 13 grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and his caregiver of 2.5 years, Brandon Pyle. He was preceded in death by both parents and his brother-in-law, Jack Yost.

Per Joe's request, there will be no funeral services. His cremated remains will be interred at the West Point Cemetery.

A celebration of life is planned for the Spring.

Disposition is entrusted to Comfort Cremations, 674 N. 36th St., Lafayette, IN 47905 | (866) U-R-Loved | www.comfortcremations.net.