Joshua Lee Early

Joshua Lee Early, 45, of Shirley, New Castle, Anderson and Middletown was born on August 26th, 1981 to Lowell and Cathie (Burns) Early. He was a unique individual who enjoyed having fun, living life, and spending time with the people he loved. He could light up a room with his humor, and warm your soul with his faith.

Joshua held a variety of interesting jobs throughout the course of his life ranging from retail to food service to criminal justice, with a particular fondness for his time at GameStop.

In his personal life, Joshua enjoyed cooking and serving food, especially when he had the chance to entertain family and friends with his culinary skills. He enjoyed playing video games - especially multiplayer games so that he could share the experience with others. He enjoyed playing sports after church, and was proud of his band and drama days at Eastern Hancock High School where he was a proud graduate of the class of 2001.

Josh was briefly married to Adriene, and though the marriage didn’t last, Josh was absolutely overjoyed to be a step-father to her son, Robbie.

He was a strong believer in Jesus Christ, and his friends and family take comfort in the fact that he has gone to be with his savior, in whose arms he is now resting.

Joshua joins his mother, Cathie Early, his step-brother David Smalley, his Paternal Grandparents Howard and Amanda Anderson, Harvey and Gladys Early, and his Maternal Grandparents Bert and Mildred Burns in death.

He is survived by his Father, Lowell Early, his elder sister Jennifer Whisman, his brother Johnathan (and wife Maria) Early, his younger sister Sarah Seal, step-brother Nathan Whisman, and step-sister Sarah Beth Alshadeedi (and her husband Amir), Nieces Chyenne, Gwendalyn, Lillyanne, Alexandra and Kathryn, Yolonda, and Nephews Evisto and Adrian, and many good friends - too many to list here.

Joshua was by no means a perfect person, and he had many “plot twists” in life, but he always turned back to Jesus. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at by the family at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the New Heights Christian Church, located at 2752 W. St. Rd. 44 Connersville, IN 47331. Visitation will be from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America at 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820
Alexandria, VA 22314, or online here. You may express condolences or share a memory of Josh at www.ballardandsons.com.