Joel attended Bermudian Springs High School and earned his G.E.D. from Carlisle High School. Joel was retired from Dickinson College, having worked 17 years in the Projects Department. He also worked at Hunt Corporation, Frog & Switch Manufacturing, Piezo, Carlisle Tire & Rubber and several other facilities. He also worked as a driver for Your Chauffeur Connection of Carlisle. He was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. During his USMC service, he met his wife, Hasue, while stationed in Japan. They married on January 12, 1966.

Joel loved sports, having played various sports in high school and beyond and then attending such sporting events for over 30 years. One could always find Joel in the bleachers at nearly every Carlisle High School sporting event, especially football and basketball, and attended many team practices. He traveled all over the region with his "Hoosier" crew buddies Bob Howard, Mac Greist, and Lynn Heishman, attending all types of athletic events. Joel was also there at nearly all of his daughters' athletic events, enthusiastically cheering them on or providing instruction. For several years, he was one of the linesmen for freshmen and junior varsity football games. He was also active in the Carlisle Midget Football program. He played for the minor league football team the Cumberland Colts. He played on the Bethel Assembly of God Church softball team.

Joel was an avid runner and walker. One could often find him on Dickinson College's Biddle Field track and Kline Center and the track around the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course. He also enjoyed driving, especially on Sundays, watching sports on TV, reading the newspaper and the Bible, feeding the squirrels on the Carlisle High School campus and spending too much on gifts for his children and grandchildren. He loved Penn State and Notre Dame football and the movie "Rudy." He loved wearing ball caps.

Joel attended Bethel Assembly of God Church in Carlisle and, most recently, he became a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to his wife of 47 years, Joel is survived by two daughters; Lori Peters of Carlisle (and her husband, Kevin) and Joann Penrod of Fayetteville, NC, six grandchildren; Carliana, Cailin, Mary, Riana, David and Gianna Peters, all of Carlisle, cousins; Nancy & Guy Gsell of Carlisle, Becky Mitchell of Carlisle, Marlin & Patsy Hamilton of Newville, Phyllis Group of Gardners and several extended family members. He was preceded in death by two unborn grandchildren and several relatives.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Drive, Carlisle. Rev. William C. Forrey will be the celebrant. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until time of mass and a reception will immediately follow the mass in the church Activity Center. Private interment will be in the Old Carlisle Cemetery. Ewing Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joel's memory to support the care of retired priests and religious or the vocation formation of priests and religious. Donations should be sent to the Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg PA, 17111-3710.