Joseph R. Lett, age 88 of Washington, passed away at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Eastgate Manor Nursing Home. He was born September 19, 1923 in Washington to Elias Peter and Catherine (Moore) Lett. He was a past football player for Washington High School and graduated from Purdue University with an engineering degree. He was a member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Washington Knights of Columbus, and a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was retired from NSWC Crane. Joe was a loving father and grandfather. He like woodworking and gardening and was an avid Washington Hatchet fan. He is survived by one daughter, Linda Walls of Washington; one son, Michael Lee Lett of Hillsboro, Illinois; one sister Margaret Frakes of Cordon; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. His wife, Matilda "Tillie" Lett, whom he married November 22, 1962, passed away on November 19, 2010. His parents; one brother, Charles Lett; and three sisters, Jean Nolan, Anna Dunbar, and Mary Irene Burris are also deceased. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church with Father Leo Kiesel as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Washington American p.m. Sunday with a wake service at 4 p.m. at Ed Lee Mortuary. Condolences may be sent online at www.edleemortuary.com