BEDFORD — Joseph Walter Elliott, a prominent Bedford businessman, community leader, and philanthropist, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, at the age of 91. Elliott, who left behind a strong legacy of community support, was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Elliott was born on June 6, 1934, in St. Bernice, Indiana. He grew up in Lawrence County, graduating from Bedford High School in 1952. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years, Johanna (Sohn) Elliott, who passed away in March 2020.
Elliott’s professional life was deeply intertwined with Indiana’s manufacturing industry. In the spring of 1962, Elliott co-founded Indiana Steel & Engineering Corp. with his late father-in-law, Joseph T. Sohn. The company, which is still owned and operated by his two sons, has since manufactured over 2,000 steel highway bridges and various steel structure projects, continuing the legacy of the Bedford Loadmaster Overhead Traveling Cranes.
Joseph S. Elliott (seated on beam) and Thomas S. Elliott (being held)
pictured with the firm’s first highway bridge, fabricated in 1962.
Both sons are presently active in the businesses.
Before co-founding the company, Elliott worked in the Engineering Department at The Bedford Foundry & Machine Company, before being promoted to Chief Estimator and then Sales Manager.
Joe was a leader in manufacturing and this community. He played an integral part in the manufacturing community for decades, while also dedicating a significant amount of time to local organizations.
As a manufacturing leader, Joe served on the Indiana Manufacturers Association Board of Directors from 1967 to 1972 and again from 1988 to 2011. He served as Chairman of the Board for the IMA in 1994.
He was one of only two people in IMA history to hold the unique distinction of serving as Chairman of IMA, Chairman of IMASERV, and Chairman of IMPAC. Joe received the IMA’s David H. Rariden Chairman Award in 2006 for exemplary service and the Manufacturing Leadership Award in 2017 for outstanding contributions and leadership.
Locally, Joe was a founding and lifetime member of the Thornton Memorial Boys Club, serving as past President and actively on the Board for 25 years. He also coached youth football and basketball teams.
At the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, he served as a past Director and was honored with the 2018 Community Service Award.
He was also a leader in several Lawrence County civic groups, including being an Honorary Life Member of the Kiwanis Club of Bedford, which he joined in 1965, and a 50-year member of the Bedford Elks Lodge #826.
Joe was a founding member of the Bedford Urban Enterprise Board and a past Board Member of the Purdue University Advisory Board for Technical Assistance.
Joe leaves behind a strong legacy in sports and family. He attended Indiana University in 1952–53, where he was a member of the Freshman Basketball team during the season IU won its second National Championship. He later transferred to Purdue University, where he was a member of the Purdue Basketball team. In later life, he played golf at Otis Park, achieving his personal goal of participating in the Bedford Men’s City Golf Tournament for 50 consecutive years.
He is survived by his two sons, Joseph Sohn (Sherri) Elliott and Thomas Stephen (Laura) Elliott; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Joseph Walter Elliott will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Bedford. Instead of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County, or a charity of choice.
