Josephine Halsmer

Josephine (McCarthy) Halsmer Mangus of West Lafayette passed into eternal life on May 19, 2023 at the age of 102. Born in Crawfordsville, IN to her parents James and Anna (Carver) McCarthy, who preceded her in death, as did brothers James McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, and Thomas McCarthy. Her brother Fredrick (Kenny) McCarthy currently resides in Indianapolis, IN. After attending Crawfordsville High School, she married Joseph L. Halsmer, an aviation pioneer who co-founded Halsmer Airport and preceded her in death in 1993. Together they had thirteen children, whom they raised while Joe piloted the globe through war and peace: Joseph Jr (Sylvia) Halsmer, Pete (Abby) Halsmer, Marianna (Ken) Reed, Cornelius (Susan) Halsmer, Patrick Halsmer, David (Kris) Halsmer, Joann Berte, Mark (Diana) Halsmer, Robert (Jan) Halsmer, Lilly (Michael) Marsh, Dominic (Kate) Halsmer, and Tim (Shar) Halsmer. Her children, along with her 31 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, hope to carry on her spirit of loving kindness, her wit, and her superior ping pong skills. She was preceded in death by one daughter (Christine Halsmer), two grandchildren, and her devoted second husband (Hank Mangus of Palm Desert, CA). As resilient as she was beautiful, she and her beloved Joe lived their faith and raised their children, reading to them, praying with them and encouraging them to reach their full potential and find their own paths. They were devoted to their long-time involvement with the church’s ecumenical and interfaith outreach efforts. The matriarch of a large family and lifelong Catholic, Josephine was also an author, an avid gardener, and a joyful pianist who was actively involved with the Vespers Committee at Westminster Village, where she resided for many years. The family would like to thank the devoted caretakers at Westminster who helped her maintain her strong independence through her later years and blessed her with never having to cook again. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable life. The Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM Wednesday May 24, with visitation following from 5 until 7 PM Wednesday at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette 10:00 AM Thursday May 25, Fr. Dennis Faker officiating, with the interment following in St. Boniface Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westminster Village Employee Gift Fund c/o WV Resident Council, 2741 N Salisbury, West Lafayette, IN 47906. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Halsmer family. Please leave memories and condolences at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com