Deacon Joseph Chathaparampil, 81, of Elizabethtown died Thursday, February 15, at the home of his sister, Ancy Cheeramvelil in Plymouth, Michigan. Deacon Joe was born on January 10, 1937 in Muhamma, Kerala, India, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Karipurath Chathaparampil who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Theresa Zavoral Chathaparampil, his daughter, Elizabeth (Scott) Karem and grandson, Ian; five brothers, Fr. Varghese Chathaparampil of Vincentian House in Ankamaly, Kerala, India, Abraham (Theresa) Chatham of Valrico, Florida, Antony (Annie) Chatham of Lake Worth, Florida, Tom (Pushpa) Chathaparampil of Kottayam, Kerala, India and Pius (Bernice) Chathaparampil of Pattanakkad, Kerala, India; and one sister, Ancy (Kurikose) Cheeramvelil of Plymouth, Michigan. Joseph will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends. Deacon Joe lived a full life, traveling from India to Italy in 1961 to study Theology. From there, his life brought him to Detroit, where he met his wife Theresa and finished a Master's in Counseling from Wayne State and a PhD in Education from Michigan State University. After 3 years in Philadelphia at St Joseph's University as Associate Director of Counseling, he and Theresa moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1973 where he was the Chairman of Psychology and Director of Graduate programming for Spalding University. In 1986, he continued his career as an Education Counselor for soldiers at Fort Knox. He retired in 2006. Deacon Joe was also ordained a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1976. After spending the first eleven years of his ministry at St. Agnes Church in Louisville, Kentucky, he moved to St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where he continued his ministries. Even in retirement, he assisted as deacon at daily mass and pursued his passion for health and wellness through teaching the school children gardening and teaching Tai Chi throughout the community. Always one to give blessings upon saying goodbye, Deacon Joe concluded his communications with a quote from Eleanor Powell: “What you are is a gift from God; what you make of yourself is your gift to God.” Visitation 4 to 8pm and Wake Service at 7pm will be held Tuesday evening, February 20 at Brown Funeral Home, Elizabethtown. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St James Church at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 21. Burial will be in St James Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Deacon Joe can be made to Catholic Near East Welfare Association at 1-877-284-3807, Catholic Charities of Louisville Migration and Refugee Services at 502-637-9786 or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home

Service:

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 starting at 10:00 AM
St. James Catholic Church