Joseph
Jude
Dahm
Obituary
Joseph Jude Dahm, 96, of Fort Wayne, IN, and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 1, 1926, to Bert and Catharine (Michel) Dahm. He was the oldest of three boys, the others being Ed Dahm and Mike Dahm. He attended Central Catholic High School and was proud to serve in the United States Navy following High School. He attended one year at Purdue and then transferred to Indiana University, where he became a lifelong Phi Kappa Fraternity member. His studies were cut short when his father suggested he and his brother start a carwash business. In 1948, Joe opened the first automatic carwash in Indiana and one of the first in the Midwest- Mike’s Minit Man Carwash -which grew into the Mike’s Carwash and Crew Carwash businesses the area knows today.
Known by those close to him for saying, “I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me,” Joe was actively involved in his parish St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, as well as the broader Fort Wayne Community. He was honored with the Don Wolf Award for service to Big Brothers Big Sisters and has long supported the YMCA Youth Service Bureau. In addition to being an Honorary Fire Chief in 1989, He sat on the Fort Wayne/South Bend Cemetery board. Joe was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where in 1960, he served as a Grand Knight. He was also a member of Legatus. Joe’s business success led him to be named a Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall-of-fame Laureate in 2001. The carwash industry also recognized Joe’s contribution by naming him president of the International Carwash Association from 1966-67, and he received the Car Wash Hall of Fame Award in 1968
While Joe was best known for his business acumen, those closest to him know that Faith and family were the driving forces in his life. He led by example and preached the gospel with his life. His commitment to caring for people and cherishing each person’s uniqueness filled his life with joy and purpose. He was affectionately known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Papa Joe.” His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his greatest joy in life, along with creating opportunities for the family to pray and have fun together. Joe married the love of his life, Dene Dahm (1927-2023), in 1950. Together they had two sons and seven daughters. Surviving are his nine children, Bill (Lisa) Dahm of Indianapolis, IN; Cathy Krouse of Fort Wayne, IN; Mary (Mark) Howlett of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Peggy (Bill) Salin of Indianapolis, IN; Sheila (Jeff) O’Daniel of Fort Wayne, IN, Sarah Kistner of Columbus, OH, Mike (Jenny) Dahm of Cincinnati, OH, Lisa (Marty) White of Fort Wayne, IN, Amy (Steve) Just of Fort Wayne, IN, brother, Mike (DeeDee) Dahm of Fort Wayne, IN and former daughter-in-law Marge Dahm of Fishers, IN; 30 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dene, brother Ed, and sons-in-law Ed Kistner and Jack Krouse.
Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home (3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805). The funeral mass and celebration of Joe’s life is 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023, at St. Charles Borromeo Church (4910 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815) with calling one hour before the mass. Burial will follow services in Fort Wayne Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church for masses, Bishop Dwenger High School (1300 E Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825) for tuition assistance, Carmelite Monastery Allendale (59 Allendale, Terre Haute, IN 47802), or YMCA Youth Service Bureau, (3701 S. Calhoun St. Fort Wayne, IN 46807)
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Condolences
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I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Dahm on a few occasions. Working closely with the team at Mikes Carwash it is obvious the importance his leadership had to the company. We have learned valuable lessons from the team at Mikes Carwash that we use with our team at CSK Electric. It is rare to see family businesses that maintain morale’s from the founding member of the business. Mikes Carwash and their team have clearly done that. Mr. Dahm’s influence is clearly still present in how the business’ operates today. His legacy is in great hands. Out thoughts and prayers go out to the Dahm family and entire Mikes Carwash, and Crew Carwash teams.
It was such an honor to work for both Joe and Ed Dahm and their sons. They taught me so much about work ethic and Faith. We even attended Mass together at the Cathedral on holy days that occurred during the work week. They shared their lake place in the summer with their employees. What a wonderful way to leave the world a much better place. Thank you so much Joe Dahm. May all your wonderful memories comfort you and your families during this sad time.
Sending prayer and our deepest condolences to your family. A donation to Bishop Dwenger High School has been made in memory of Joe.
With Love,
Q. B. Enterprises, Inc., Quick Dry towels
Roger and Becky Kube, Jonathan and Lindsay Wiles, and all of the Quick Dry Team
Celebration of his life giving back his gifts from God, to so many through his life time. Family, friends, business or anyone he meet for the fist time. Always with his smile. His Family supported us for
Charles and Ruth Dahm at their time of death. Prayers as the family lives on in memories of strong loving Parents!
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. A donation was made to Carmelite Monastery Allendale in honor of Joe.
The Evens Time Team
All the visits to Fort Wayne with Dad & Mom we would visit with Joe . Mary , would visit my Dad at Fox Manor , what a blessing… Dad would share with me and I felt connected.My prayers to you Joe and your whole family .
Grandma Sturm ( your aunt Margaret, plus another generation or two ) Heaven is for real … love to you all , Bob and Ryn Sturm
Joe will forever have a special place in my heart! Condolences to all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with this beautiful soul! Joe will be truly missed!
Our team is honored to be apart of the Mikes Carwash family that Joe founded so many years ago. May this be a time of celebration to honor him for the positive impact he had on so many.
May he Rest In Peace & we will be praying for him & your family at this sad time. May good memories bring you all comfort.
With sympathy
Sarah and Family,
My condolences and prayers are with all of you.
Our condolences our with your family.
Our condolences to the family. In 1996 When I became Joe’s Administrative Assistant at the Mike’s Carwash main office I began a great journey with a man and family that will never be forgotten. He showed such joy and understanding. I never had a boss that was so giving to everyone he meet. He made my husband, Tom, and I feel like part of his family. He taught us a lot and helped us to increase our faith. I will never forget as he left the office he would say, “ I will pray for you and you pray for me.” When he went to Rome to see the Pope, he brought back a rosary blessed by the Pope and I carry it with me everyday and pray everyday. He and Dene were so inspirational as a couple and parents. They were always so positive and lifted your spirits when you saw them. My husband and I were so blessed to known Joe and Dene. I always felt God answered my prayers when I walked into Mike’s Carwash office in 1996. They will always be in my heart. God bless the family and give you peace knowing your Dad and Mom are together in their heavenly home.
I had the opportunity to work with Joe and always enjoyed our conversations. He was a pleasure to work with and always shared stories that demonstrated his love for his family. All though we lost touch over the years, he was never forgotten; his values and integrity impacted my life. May he rest in peace.
Kistner Family~
May the memories of the past find comfort in the days to come.
Mr. Joe and Family,
I want to express my deepest sympathies and also Joy to this wonderful man and his beautiful children. This was not only a journey, this was also a blessing in disguise. As one of his caregivers, I had the privilege of joining Mr. Joe every Wednesday at Mass. He started my Faith journey and I will continue to learn, Trust and Believe in God. Over the past many months with Mr. Joe and Mrs. Dene, I’ve been given the chance to get to know them, to listen to their stories and to be a small part of their incredible lives. The love he had and showed to his family was incredible to witness. Mr. Joe, with his blue eyes and contagious smile will forever be in my heart and on my mind. I will pay more attention to the weather and contribute every sunny/warm day to him.
Dear Dahm Family, I want to send kind thoughts and prayers from Huntington. I am Jeff Etter, Grandma Joe Etter’s grandson and want you to know that mom and I remembered your family because of the nice things that Grandma Joe always said about you. I brought Grandma to one of your kids wedding reception and said hello to the ND cheerleader Dahm at my Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Purdue before the game.
Sincere condolences to you all and Mike’s Car Wash is still my favorite because of you!
Friend Joe was my constant business mentor during my formative years of starting Stellhorn 1HR Photo stores. His sense of humor was unmatched. I recall one cold early ‘80’s February morning Joe drove in to my parking lot todrop off a roll of film catching me shoveling snow. Joe rolled down his car window yelling “that a boy Paul….. that’s how I began”. What an asset this man was to our beautiful business and Christian community.
Sending prayers to the Dahm family as you remember a beautiful person and life. I have fond memories of when I was a child going to the car wash with my dad on his day off. As we walked by the offices your father or uncle would always run out to say hello and greet us.
On April 18, 2014, I was working on a process analysis project for Mike’s Car Wash and went to MCW’s Fort Wayne office for a site visit. It just happened that Mr. Joe Dahm was in the office that day, and we engaged in a short yet interesting conversation.
Although retired, his business acumen was still profound, and dedication to customer service heartfelt. He mentioned that although technology advanced quickly and could differ from generation to generation, the essence of service business was always the same, and that is, to make it easier and more convenient for customers to use the services, and make them happy afterwards so they come back. He also inadvertently mentioned the now famous motto of the company he founded, that life has its priorities, and it should be “God, family, and work, in that order”. What a magnificent life! What a great man!
Indiana just lost a legend, but Heaven gained another angel.
RIP Joe!
Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts
In memory of Joseph Dahm.
Joes inspirational work and character created opportunities for so many to live great lives.
Our condolences to the Dahm family.
Our condolences to the entire family and our expressions of sympathy. We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dahm on numerous occasions a true Christian business man , family man, and leader. Quoting his son in law Mark Howlett “my father in law now has joined the love of his life Dene”
Best Regards to the. Family ,
DW and Sharon KRANE
Mr. Joe ,
That contagious smile, love and faith. You made every day a day to remember with you. You and Mrs Dene gave meaning and purpose to life .
It was a huge honor and privilege to be there with you.
You not only filled a piece of me that was missing, but also brought me back to knowing and believing that through faith and family all things are possible. You were the most genuine man Ii have ever met. You were even polite in your dreams.. I will love and miss you always. Thank you for allowing me to care for you.
Misty
Thinking of you and your entire family. Youre all in my thoughts and prayers.
Your in our prayers
Im so sorry for your losses. They are both together and happy now. You all are so special to us. You are in our prayers! We love you!
May the wind boost your ascent to Heaven where the Lord awaits to meet you. May the Lord embrace you passionately in His palm, until we meet again in paradise. Amen.
Our deepest condolences.
I loved Joe. Everyone loved Joe. He treated my family to many good times. Some of these were Thanksgiving at The Fort Wayne Country Club, several times, when we could really use the uplift in spirit. Another are the many times we visited at Lake Wawasee. We make reference to Papa Joe every week when we ask each other, “Got your pants?”. Joe and Dene were and are a great inspiration to me. I will miss Mr. Joe Dahm but I know he and Dene are now again very happy together.
Whenever I saw Joe he always held my hand until he weaselled a free car wash card into my hand. His gentle spirit and big smile always made me feel so happy to be with him. He is a true example of living for God. I will miss him but am glad he is with his wife and has met Jesus.
Wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to the Dahm family
My sincere condolences go out to Amy and all family members. Joe lived a long and purposeful life. He lived his faith and led by example. Rest in Peace, Joe.
Joe always had a positive mental attitude and strong faith.
The Johnson Family will indeed miss him.
Condolences to the family.
Tom Johnson