Joe Bevil Bethea, Jr., 73, of Indianola, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at South Sunflower County Hospital.

He was born February 26, 1944 in Cleveland and was the son of Joe and Carolyn Rhodes Bethea. The Bethea family moved to Indianola in 1960 when Joe, Sr. retired from the military. Joe, affectionately known as "Joe Boy", graduated from Indianola High School in 1963 and joined the United States Navy and served from 1963- 1967. During his service he served on the USS Forrestal and was a member of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1967, he returned home to Indianola where he worked with his father at their dry-cleaning business. After the death of his father in 1982 he took over ownership of Ideal Cleaners where he worked for a total of 50 years. Joe was a strong businessman, loving family man, and a loyal friend. He was a man of few words but had a quick whit and a wonderful sense of humor, especially with his family and close friends. Joe was very patriotic with a strong love of history. He always repaired flags and prepared graduation gowns for Indianola Academy and Gentry High School for free as a gift. Joe was a member and officer of Clark-Lyon V.F.W. Post 4731 in Indianola where he served as Quartermaster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Bevil Bethea, Sr. and Carolyn Rhodes Bethea.

Joe is survived by one brother, Bryan Bethea; sister, Joy Bethea Hughes and husband Robert; two nephews, Peter Snell and Adam Snell and wife Amanda; one niece, Elise Mallette; great niece, Allie Snell; and two great nephews, Barrett Snell and Rob Mitchell.

The family will receive friends Friday, December 8, 2017, from 1:00 pm until the 2:00 pm funeral service at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. Burial will follow in Indianola City Cemetery. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net