Joe Huber III Dies in Apparent Mowing Accident

A member of a southeast Indiana family synonymous with tourism and hospitality has died in an apparent lawn mowing accident. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office confirms for Inside INdiana Business that Joe Huber III was mowing on his property Monday morning and apparently slid into a pond.

The 60 year-old Huber was an owner of the popular Joe Huber's Family Farm and Restaurant in Starlight, which has long been a destination for fresh produce, pumpkin picking and a restaurant and winery.

The news has stunned many in southeast Indiana, who've long known the Huber name for business and community leadership. "We are saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Joe Huber III and extend our thoughts and prayers to the Huber's family and staff," said Jim Epperson, executive director of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau. "Joe Huber's Family Farm and Restaurant has been a highly successful enterprise in Clark and Floyd counties for more than 40 years."

"The Huber family has been a pillar of the community for generations and the Huber name is synonymous with Agritourism in Starlight, Indiana," said Wendy Dant Chesser, chief executive officer of One Southern Indiana. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this sorrowful time."

Joe Huber III is also a cousin to Greg and Ted Huber, owners of the popular Huber's Orchard and Winery in Borden.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a riding lawnmower in a pond on the Huber property in Starlight around 10:30 Monday morning, according to Corporal Scottie Maples, who says investigators believe Huber's lawnmower traveled down a slight embankment and into the pond.  

The Clark County Coroner's Office pronounced Huber dead at the scene.