John J. “Joe” Keating, 78, of DeGraff, OH, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Mary Rutan Hospital Emergency Department, Bellefontaine, OH.
John was born on February 27, 1946, in Akron, OH, a son of the late John W. and Marie E. Sanders Keating. He is also preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Keating.
Joe married Barbara C. Titus on June 25, 1966, at St. Patrick’s Church in Bellefontaine, and she survives along with their four children, Shawn Keating of Lewistown, OH, Kelly (Beccy) Keating of DeGraff, Casey (Candace) Keating of Cridersville, OH, and Erin (Rob) Gross of Sidney, OH, seven grandchildren, Joanne Keating, Alyson Keating, Brad Keating, Ryan Keating, Aidan Keating, Gavin Keating, and Zoey Keating-Gross, three great grandchildren, McKenzie Vaido, Michael Keating and Lennox Sinkford, and a brother, Pat (Cam) Keating of Lewistown.
Joe attended The Ohio State University and was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving in Vietnam. He retired in 1997 due to effects of a stroke from The Bureau of Employment of Shelby County. He previously worked various jobs including Lake Patrol, and for the Transportation Department. He was a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Russells Point, OH. Joe was also 4th Degree in Knights of Columbus, and a member of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post #217, Sidney, Doyle R. Miller Amvets Post #39 in Lakeview, OH, and NRA. He loved Christmas and played Santa for many years at stores, schools, nursing homes, and visited many families’ homes. He loved anything Irish and participated in McCartyville Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade for many years. He enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and owned many of them over the years as well as hunting and fishing. Joe was above all, a family man, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Reverend Shawn Landenwitch will begin Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Mary of the Woods Church, 464 Madison Ave, Russells Point, OH. Visitation is Monday, April 1, 2024, from 4-7 pm at Shoffstall Funeral Home, 205 S. Main St, Lakeview, and one hour prior to mass at the church. Burial is in Walnut Hill Cemetery, New Hampshire, OH with military rites performed by the Wapakoneta VFW Post #8445 Honor Guard and United States Marine Corps.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe’s memory may be given to St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview, OH. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.