Joshua Michael Glenn

Joshua Michael Glenn, 45, left the earth with a song in his heart on Saturday morning, January 14, 2023, at his home under the care of Hospice and surrounded by love. When Josh was diagnosed with colon cancer in August of 2018, he said if cancer was looking for a fight he was going to give it one, and that is exactly what he did. He fought a courageous and admirable battle, full of optimism.

Josh was born on August 14, 1977 in South Bend to John Michael “Mike” Glenn and Rita (Sobecki) Glenn. He spent his entire childhood in South Bend, throwing rocks at the Carriage Lane street sign in front of his childhood home. He attended Hay Elementary, Jackson Middle, and then Riley High School where he met the love of his life Melissa (Lodoen) Glenn and graduated in 1995. Josh went to college at Muscatine Community College and Northwest Missouri State University where he played baseball, then Indiana University/Purdue University Fort Wayne. He finished up his schooling with a Bachelor of General Studies from Indiana University South Bend in 2002.

After graduating from college, Josh moved to Indianapolis to be with Melissa and began working for General Electric. Realizing a job in a cubical wasn’t for him, he decided to utilize his gift for entertaining and pursued a career as a standup comedian, while earning money as a substitute teacher. After living in Indianapolis for five years, Josh and Melissa decided to move back to their hometown, where they got married on October 14, 2006 at Holy Family Church. Josh began working for United Digital Integrators, then CIM Technology Solutions, and ended his working career at Allure Furniture.  

Josh loved music and shared this love with all he encountered, often sharing songs via text messages and social media, or by trapping family and friends in the garage and making them listen to “just one more song”. In addition, Josh was also passionate about his beloved Chicago Cubs, Notre Dame Football, the Chicago Bears and Indy 500. He was an avid “foodie” and always enjoyed trying new restaurants, breweries and wineries, both locally and during wonderful vacations with Melissa, family and friends. 

More than anything, what defined Josh was his passion for life and his love for his family and countless friends. He was larger than life; not only in stature, but with personality and charisma. He embraced the very essence of what it means to live with purpose; to embrace optimism, positivity, compassion, and joy. Josh had the unique ability to relate to everyone he encountered in a way that made them feel like he was their best friend, regardless of how long he’d known you.   Always the life of the party, he was never without a story to tell and his tales were often taller than he.

He was an excellent listener and was always the one to offer the perfect piece of advice and support that was not only timely, but catered to you in a way that only Josh could. Josh’s energy, laughter, and smile were infectious. His bear hugs were legendary and ensured everyone knew they were safe and loved.  Throughout his illness, Josh’s selflessness was always present, making sure you left each call or visit with a heart full of love and a passion for living your life with renewed purpose. While Josh is no longer with us in body, his spirit will live forever in the lives of everyone he touched. If you knew him, you loved him. He impacted so many. Our hearts and lives are forever changed for knowing him, loving him, and now losing him.

Left to cherish the memory of Josh is his loving wife of 16 years Melissa Glenn; his mother Rita Glenn; brother Jason (Mackenzie) Glenn; father-in-law Mylon Lodoen; mother-in-law Michele Lodoen; sister-in-law Monica (Kan) Pantanapichet; nephew Brody Glenn and nieces Macy, Kennedy, Reese, Campbell and Sloane Glenn and Amarin Pantanapichet; grandmothers Dorothy Glenn and Valentina “Val” Sobecki as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Josh was preceded in death by his father John Michael “Mike” Glenn; grandfathers John “Jay” Glenn and Benedict “Ben” Sobecki; grandparents-in-law Lane and Mary Benadum.

A visitation will be on Saturday, January 21,2023 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm with a memorial service at 12:30 pm, at Saint Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619.   
In lieu of flowers, please schedule your colonoscopy, as early detection saves lives. Memorial Contributions may be made in Josh’s name to the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/ or Center for Hospice Care https://cfhcare.org/

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