Joseph Edison McKew III

Joseph Edison McKew III, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, Joseph was a man of deep faith who lived his life with kindness, dedication, and joy. He loved his family above all else and did everything he could to support and care for them. Joseph was an internal auditor whose career spanned decades. He served 35 years as a federal examiner with the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Department of the Treasury, specializing in bank security. After retiring from federal service, he continued working at Community Wide Federal Credit Union.  Prior to Joseph’s work with the federal government, he also worked at the Bob Erath Company and Uniroyal. 

In addition to Joseph’s career at the federal government, he was also a passionate teacher for over 30 years, instructing business and accounting classes at Ferris State University, Indiana University, St. Mary’s College, and Southwestern Michigan College. He took great pride in his education, having graduated from South Bend College of Commerce, Ferris State University (undergraduate), and Western Michigan University (Master’s Degree in Finance).  Joseph would always say, “I have 5 jobs” with pride. 

Joseph had many passions. He was a man of great faith and a longtime member of The Cathedral of St. Matthew. He was an avid Notre Dame fan, especially when it came to The Fighting Irish’s hockey and football teams, and followed the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, and Toronto Maple Leaf’s. He found peace and joy in nature, planting trees, swimming in his pool, taking river walks, tending to his ponds, feeding the birds, and playfully chasing squirrels and chipmunks. He took pride in doing 100 push-ups every day.

Joseph loved traveling by train, was an amazing storyteller, and had a gift for telling jokes. His daily goal was simple but beautiful: to bring a smile to someone’s face.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Jeanette; his son, Don (Jodi); grandsons, Micah and Finley; sister, Kathy Watson (Sam); brothers, Jim McKew (Sandy) and Jeff McKew (Deb); sister-in-law, Debbie Clymer (Mike); brothers-in-law, Daniel Kopczynski and Richard Kopczynski (Patty Breneman); along with many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Edison McKew Sr.; his mother, Anne McKew; and his brother, Terry McKew.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kaniewski Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Cathedral of St. Matthew.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, IN. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph’s name to the Center for Hospice Care or to The Cathedral of St. Matthew.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all the caregivers who provided Joseph with compassionate care and support throughout his illness.

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