Joseph A. Mahnesmith, age 72, of Auburn passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born on May 29,1945 in Garrett to Lavon and Hilda (Richmond) Mahnesmith.  His parents preceded him in death. Joe was a 1963 graduate of Garrett High School. He graduated from Ball State University and then received his Master’s Degree from St. Francis in Fort Wayne. He was a teacher in the Fort Wayne School System for ten years.  He then taught at Garrett High School until his retirement in 2002. While at Garrett he was an assistant basketball coach and head track coach. He was a member of the Garrett Church of Christ and the Garrett Eagles. Joe married Connie Campbell on July 11, 1979 in Hawaii.  She resides in Auburn. He is also survived by a son Kyle Mahnesmith and daughter-in-law Maggie Mahnesmith both of Louisville, Kentucky; a brother, Ed (Ann) Mahnesmith of Angola; two sisters-in-law, Judi Crozier and Arthur Moorman of Auburn and Linda VanAuken of Virginia Beach, Virginia; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arman and Maxine Campbell of Auburn and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Garrett Church of Christ in Garrett with Brother Bud Owen officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 7, 2017 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street in Auburn.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the church. Preferred memorials are to the Garrett High School Athletic Department, Garrett Church of Christ and the Adam Crozier Medical Fund to help with Joe’s nephew’s medical expenses. To send condolences visit www.fellerandclark.com.