Joseph "Joey" Paul Wheat

Joseph Paul “Joey” Wheat, Joseph Paul Wheat, known for his amazing hugs, unparalleled enthusiasm for Steak 'n Shake frisco melts, and devotion as an incredible son, brother and friend, died peacefully at home on Feb. 16, 2019. He was 20 years old. Joey was born on Aug. 24, 1998, in Indianapolis, to Brian and Kelly Wheat. He was a sweet, tenderhearted little boy who loved wearing his Batman pajamas, even on 90-degree days, adored and followed his older sister, Lexie, around, and was quick to laugh. Early on, he learned that making weird faces and pterodactyl noises was comedy gold, especially around his sisters, said his mother, Kelly. "We would get into such big trouble with mom at church because he would make a funny face and I would laugh inappropriately loud," Lexie said. "Our punishment was that we weren't allowed to have doughnuts. We didn't get doughnuts very often." As a young man, Joey was known for his kindness and compassion toward his family and friends. His younger sister, Katie, remembers Joey taking care of her and checking on her constantly during a recent illness. He helped a young cousin, Violet Kingsbury, last year with a birthday project. He didn't like to let his friends down, even in the smallest ways. "He was a very trustworthy friend," said his father, Brian. "In several cases he took the blame for something one of his friends did, just because he thought that's what friends were for. He loved his friends and often told them so." Brian Wheat said sometimes Joey's friends would make him uneasy at first. But that led to the biggest lesson his son taught him. "Joey taught me not to judge people before I understood them," he said. "Once I got to know them I learned what great kids they were." Joey graduated from North Central High School in 2017 and later worked as a custodian at Planet Fitness in Carmel. In eighth grade, during a school project at Center for Inquiry where students were asked about future dreams, Joey spontaneously declared that he wanted to be an astronaut. When his family later questioned him, he said, "'I didn't have anything else to say,'" his maternal grandmother, Bonnie Kingsbury, said with a laugh. But Joey did excel at science and math, could fix computers and helped his father, an engineer, in their music studio, editing files. His sister, Lexie, said Joey would have been a great video game tester; he enjoyed playing online games such as RuneScape, League of Legends and Minecraft and trash-talking with his friends. His paternal grandmother, Gerry Wheat, often remarked that Joey should have be a model, especially because of his beautiful smile. "Honestly, I think like a lot of young guys, he wanted to be paid to be one of those YouTube guys who makes hilarious remarks about other people playing video games," said his mother, Kelly. Joey was a true "junk-food junkie," Bonnie Kingsbury said. The drawers in his bedroom were packed with boxes of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies and cartons of Mountain Dew; he was a night-owl who worked a third shift. His sisters remember many of his lovable quirks. For example, even though he had multiple and often new pairs of socks at his disposal, he'd often wear the same pair, Katie said. Lexie said her brother "at one point in his life would spill ketchup on his shirt at least once a day." Joey once impulsively got a Wu Tang Clan tattoo, even though he wasn't THAT big of a fan. He also had a small gap in his front teeth that he decided not to fix after a girl told him it was cute, Kelly Wheat said. "Joey would tell you something embarrassing about himself just to make you laugh," Kelly said. "Like, Christmas morning, Brian was talking about how much work it was to unwrap a chocolate Kiss and Joey said, 'Yeah, Starburst are like that too. I just eat them with the paper on.'" Joey shared a birthday with his uncle, John Kingsbury; the two had to make an annual decision on the color and flavor of their dual cake at the family-wide celebration. Joey was given his middle name, Paul, in honor of his paternal grandfather, Paul Wheat, who preceded him in death. Joey was passionate about the New Orleans Saints, liked early '90s music including Nirvana and Pearl Jam and enjoyed "getting knocked off an inner tube at Wawasee (lake)," Lexie said. He especially loved animals; cats and dogs were drawn to him. One year he asked for pet rats for Christmas, which he cared for and loved. The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Joey's name to the Indianapolis Humane Society. Joey was also an organ donor, a selfless decision that gave hope to other families who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses. But Joey's loved ones will remember him most for his hugs. Bonnie Kingsbury described her grandson as "one of those quiet ones who runs deep," and though he was often quiet and shy, his hugs and expressive eyes communicated so much to family and friends. "Joey's hugs were the best ever," his mother Kelly said. "He'd really pull you in and squeeze." Joey is survived by his parents, Brian and Kelly Wheat; sisters, Lexie and Katie Wheat; maternal grandparents, Dr. John and Bonnie Kingsbury; paternal grandmother, Geraldine Wheat; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Joey’s paternal grandfather, Paul Wheat, preceded him in death.

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Joseph "Joey" Paul Wheat

August 24, 1998 - February 16, 2019