Joseph Marguet

2/12/1932 - 7/2/2026

Joseph Isadore Marguet, 94, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at The Villages at Silvercrest in New Albany, Indiana. 

Born February of 1932, in New Albany, Indiana, Joe was the eldest child of Joseph and Esther Marguet, followed by his beloved siblings, Frank "Frankie" Marguet and Miriam (Mimi) Paris. New Albany was home for most of his life and remained the community he loved deeply. 

Joe attended New Albany High School, where he met the love of his life, Maryetta McMurray. As the story was often told, he sat behind her in homeroom. Their high school romance blossomed into a remarkable marriage of 71 years. Together, they were among the first students to broadcast programs on WNAS, Indiana’s oldest student-operated radio station. Joe later attended the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

Joe served in the Army during the Korean War, decoding enemy Morse code messages. After an honorable discharge, he joined his brother Frankie in the family business at the New Albany Box & Basket Company. 

In 1964, Joe and Maryetta built the home where they would spend the next 58 years, raising their five children on the family farm. Alongside Frankie and his family, they cultivated not only tobacco, hay, cattle, and horses, but also decades of treasured memories filled with family gatherings, laughter, and a deep appreciation for rural life. 

Joe was a thinker - a man of few words but countless thoughtful ones. He possessed a quiet wisdom that put others at ease. He rarely spoke ill of anyone, always choosing to see the good in people. He tried to pass that philosophy on to his children, with marginal success. One of his many sayings was, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything."

Joe devoted much of his time to serving his community. He was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church and later St. Mary's of Navilleton Catholic Church. He served on the Floyd County Schools Building Commission, helped build the concession stand at the Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds with his brother Frankie, and was instrumental in establishing Greenville Park, where the brothers also built the park's shelter house. 

Beginning in the early 2000s, Joe became deeply involved in Lewis and Clark historical reenactments, traveling rivers throughout the United States aboard a traditional keelboat. 

Joe and Maryetta shared a love of travel, exploring Europe and Australia together and proudly visiting all 50 states. Australia held a special place in Joe's heart, and he often joked that it was where he should have been born. 

An avid outdoorsman, Joe loved fly fishing and hunting. While he was enthusiastic about both, he somehow managed to come home empty-handed most times—perhaps, as his family liked to tease, it was simply a convenient excuse to enjoy a little peace and quiet away from five energetic children. 

Joe is survived by his children: Susie Marguet (Ron Nash), Sally Davidson (David), Jimmy Marguet, Patty Marguet (Jim Miller), and Marilyn Khadr (Karim). He also leaves behind grandchildren: Ben Nash, Sam Nash (Alice Clark), Katie Davidson, Joe Davidson, Michael Marguet, Jessica Marguet, Alex Khadr (Jenni), Camille Abou (Marv), Sabina Khadr, and great-grandchildren: Roman Khadr and Calvin Khadr. He is also survived by his sister, Mimi Paris (Larry), and his sister-in-law, Mary Marguet. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maryetta Marguet; his parents, Joseph and Esther Marguet; his brother, Frank Marguet; and his grandson, Preston Marguet. 

Please join us at 11 a.m. on August 8, 2026, to celebrate Joe's long and full life with a Catholic Mass at Holy Family Church, 129 W Daisy Ln, New Albany, IN 47150. Doors will open at 10 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: 

Falls of the Ohio Foundation - Fallsoftheohio.org, (812)283-4999

Notre Dame University -  https://giving.nd.edu/

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at The Villages at Silvercrest for their exceptional care and to Kaiser's of New Albany for supplying Joe with his lifelong enjoyment of tobacco.