Joseph Henry Conrad

Joseph Henry Conrad, 88, of Gainesville, Florida passed away at 9:55 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at his brother’s residence in Brazil, Indiana.

Born on December 7, 1926 in Bethlehem Township in Cass County, he was the son of the late Ferdinand Conrad and Marie (Hubenthal) Strong.

He was a 1945 Metea High School graduate.

Joseph was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran.

On June 18, 1950 he married Frances Ash at the Corinth Brethren Church in Twelve Mile.

He graduated from Purdue University in 1950 and he also received his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Purdue.  Joseph taught at the Royal Center High School from 1950 to 1952 where he developed the Championship Livestock Judging Teams.  He spent four years helping develop a master of science program at the Federal University of Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil and served 17 years on the Purdue faculty prior before moving to Gainesville, Florida.  He was a professor of animal nutrition and coordinator of international animal science programs at the University of Florida prior to his retirement in 1995.  Joseph was active in the American Society of Animal Science and served as vice president of the World Association of Animal Production.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Gainesville.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Conrad of Gainesville, daughter, Carol Ann Chellemi (John) of Carlsbad, California, sons, Kenneth Conrad (Lucy) of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Leonard Conrad (Ellen) of Glen Ellyn, Illinois  and Joseph C. Conrad (Janine) of Asheboro, North Carolina, brothers, Donald Conrad (Charlotte) of Onward and Everett Conrad (Beverly) of Brazil, sister, Loretta Swigart of Logansport.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Beard.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel with Rev. Vicki S. Conrad officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 21, 2015 at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Metea Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cass County Community Foundation for the Pioneer High School Scholarship Fund in Royal Center.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Conrad family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.