Joe F. Abshier, 81, died the morning of November 12, 2013 at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay.
Born Joe Frederick Abshier on December 10, 1931 in Maunie, Illinois, the son of the late Oren and Alma (Roser) Abshier, Joe was a 1949 graduate of Carmi High School, Carmi, Illinois. He joined the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War and served until 1953. During his service, Joe was honored to play second base for the Air Force team at the first-ever Military All-World softball tournament.
On November 18, 1955 he married Donna J. Ziegler in Carmi and they were about to celebrate 58 years of marriage. Joe worked for the pipeline division of The Standard Oil Co. (Sohio) for 30+ years, before his retirement in 1985. He was a member of College First Church of God, a lifetime member of the North Baltimore American Legion Post 539, a 32nd Degree Mason in the North Baltimore Masonic Lodge F & AM 561, member of the Zenobia Shrine and member of the Lakeland Seniors Golf League. Joe was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved to golf, achieving a hole-in-one twice in his lifetime; but the highlight of his days was being with his best buddy WJSH watching western movies or ballgames on tv.
In addition to his wife Donna, he is survived by children and grandchildren Liz and Don Huston of Pandora and their sons, James (Brittany Welch) of Dublin and Will of Pandora, and Mike Abshier (Jen Chortie) of Arlington and her children Jacey and Jake Chortie; one brother, Wayne (Lyna Mae) Abshier of Nebraska; one brother-in-law Robert Nelson (Kathy Brooks) of Illinois and one sister-in-law, Rita (Tom) Ziegler Wilson of West Virginia; nieces and nephews Linda (Larry) Lehn and Morry (Deb) Abshier of Nebraska, Tony (Sarah) Nelson and Debbie Nelson of Illinois, Scott (Jessica) Wilson of Alabama and Jace (Diane) Wilson of Virginia. Additionally, he is survived by David Huston, Christy Grant and Christian Rose. He was proceeded in death by his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law Cuma Spencer Ziegler and Arnold M. Ziegler, and sister-in-law, Leah Ziegler Nelson.
After triumphing over esophageal cancer and multiple myeloma, Joe succumbed to prostate cancer. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all his medical providers for their tireless loving care over the past years, especially Dr. Heacock, Dr. Mills, Dr. Orringer, Dr. McDonough and Dr. Cole and their staffs. We would also thank Dr. Dawley and the entire Bridge Hospice organization for being with us during Joes final journey, your care, compassion and support are unparalleled.
Visitation will be Friday November 15, 2013 from 3-8 PM at Hufford Funeral Home, 1500 Manor Hill Road, Findlay, with Masonic Service at 7 PM. On Saturday November 16th at 11 AM, the family will host a Celebration of Life Service at College First Church of God, Main Street Findlay.
The family suggests contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice of Findlay or College First Church of God in Joe’s memory.