Joseph R. Brubaker

Joseph R. Brubaker 

  HAMLER - Joseph R. Brubaker, born August 21, 1926, passed away at his home on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.    Joe’s spouse, Mildred M. Brubaker, died August 31, of 2020.   Joe and Millie were married on May 26, 1948, in Leipsic, Ohio at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and had just celebrated 72 years together.

  Joseph was the second oldest child of William and Anna (Hiegle) Brubaker of Hamler, Ohio.  Deceased siblings (spouses) include:  Angela (Carl) Beindorf, Eugene Brubaker, Francis Brubaker, and Melvin, who died as a child.

  Joe was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Hamler, Ohio.   He was a long time Lector and Eucharistic Minister for the parish.   Joe was also a member of the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, a Catholic Men’s fraternal and charitable works organization, for over 50 years.

  Over the years, Joe served as President of the former Hamler Cooperative Grain Association, President of the Henry County Farmers Union, member of both the Henry County Farm Bureau and the Farmers Union.  In addition, Joe held membership in the Ohio Soybean Association, the Farm Service Organization, and Ohio State Agriculture Committees. 

  Along with his agribusiness roles, Joe was a Bartlow Township Zoning Board member and a lifelong Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative member, during which Joe served 3 four-year terms as a board member for the Cooperative.    

  Immediately after high school, Joe and several of his classmates joined other WWII volunteers and was selected to serve as an Army Ranger in the infantry from December 1944 until December 1946.   His military duty included extensive training in the Philippines and New Guinea preparing for an invasion of Japan before President Truman took steps to end the war.  Joe subsequently served his remaining time among the occupation forces in Japan.   As a veteran, Joe became a Hamler American Legion Post 262 member, and was able to get his morning coffee and local news with fellow veterans for many years that followed.

  Joe was actively engaged in farming throughout his life.  Over the years Joe raised chickens, hogs, and milked cows but growing corn, beans, and wheat was done throughout his farm career.   He was a steward of the land that he owned and farmed for several others in the same caring manner.  His farming decisions reflected years of family farming history.   He shared his farming knowledge and experience with other family and friends and learned much from friends and neighbors who shared their experiences with him.

  As the community knows in addition to the coffee shop, Joe’s hobbies included family gatherings, golfing with friends, and most of all attending Patrick Henry Basketball games.  He was a long time PH Booster and Fan.

  Joe’s surviving relatives include 5 Children (Spouses):  Kenneth (Carol) Brubaker and Daniel (Christine) Brubaker of Hamler, Barbara Tuttle, Findlay; Patricia (Henry) Godeke of Deshler, and Linda (Jan) Bernath of Wauseon.

  Joe had 13 Grandchildren:  Jeremy Brubaker, Kelly (Allen) Theisen, Kimberly (Jeff) Gillow, Karri (Tony) Benishek, Stefanie Eis, Jaclyn (Jerry) Davis, Amy (Chris) Tran, Nathan (Emily) Bernath, Dawn Conley, Jenna (Scott) Creque, Jaron (Karla) Bernath, Elizabeth (Austin) Bower, and Micah (Emma) Bernath.

  Joe’s Great Grandchildren are currently 26:  Marissa and Donavon Gillow, Kindra, Erica, Lydia and Levi Theisen, Cole and Ayden Benishek, Justine, Jolynn, and Jilian Eis, Brandon and Tessa Davis, Novak and Nora Bower, Zoey and Zachary Tran, Taylor Conley, London, Layke and Lucca Bernath, Jayden, Clairissa, and Lincoln Creque, Lena and Clark Bernath.

  Surviving in-laws include Karis Schroeder, Bernita Brubaker, and Mary Jane Brubaker.

  Deceased in-laws include:  Ralph (Alice) Schroeder, Sister Mary Victor Thelma Schroeder, Kathryn (Leo) Rieman, Ray (Ialeen) Schroeder, Syvilla (Al) Odenweller, Guy Schroeder, and Marie (Abe) Lammers.

  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 27, 2021 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Hamler with Father Nick Cunningham officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Hamler with military rites by the Hamler American Legion.  A visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic, and again on Monday one hour prior to mass at the church.

 The family is very grateful for the services provided by the staff of Putnam County Home Health and Hospice.  Joe’s desire to stay at home for his final days was made possible with their professional advice and exceptional care.

  As a family suggestion in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Chapel of Hamler, Ohio; for Putnam County Home Health & Hospice; or for a charity of the donor’s choice.

  Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com