Longtime Madison Comprehensive High School teacher Joe M. Carey, 84, of Wild Wood, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Joe was born Dec. 12, 1941 in Ada, Ohio. He graduated from Ada High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio Northern University.
While attending college, he worked at Camp Mowana in Mansfield where he met his future wife Karyne (Lather).
Joe and Karyne both taught in the Madison Local School District — Karyne for 30 years and Joe for 31 years.
While teaching they hosted several foreign-exchange students, and grew close to many of them. They stayed in touch with several of these individuals and their families even after retirement, particularly Maria Ansgariusson, of Sweden, and her family.
Upon retirement the Careys joined the Peace Corps and served for three years in Russia. They also spent many summers in Lithuania teaching English as a second language.
Joe was an avid fisherman and thoroughly enjoyed spending his summer months fishing on the Great Lakes. He also frequently worked seasonally as a ski instructor at Snow Trails.
Joe was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. He is survived by his brother, Larry Carey, of Smyrna Beach, Florida. He is preceded in death by his wife, Karyne.
There will be no services as Joe requested his ashes be spread alongside Karyne’s on property they enjoyed.