Joel E. Titus, 83, of Rural DeGraff, OH passed away unexpectedly, early Saturday morning, February 8, 2025, at Mary Rutan Hospital Emergency Department, Bellefontaine, OH.
Joel was born on March 12, 1941, in Kenton, OH, a son of the late Carl and Rita (Struewing) Titus. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Kay Titus, father/mother-in-law, Russell and Daisy Gossard, sister-in-law, Nancy Titus, and brothers-in-law, John Keating, and Bill Reames.
Joel married Beverly Gossard Titus on June 24, 1967, at St. Patrick’s Church in Bellefontaine, and she survives. He is also survived by their daughters, Michele (Bill) Horne of Bellefontaine, Brandi (Tom) Cotter of Springfield, OH, and Jennifer (Jason) Riffle of Christiansburg, OH, four grandchildren, Ashley Horne, William (Samantha) Horne, Jr, Nicholas (Michaela Pikey) Cotter, and Anthony Cotter, three great granddaughters, Violet, Amiyah, and Isabella, three siblings, Terry (Arlene) Titus of Bellefontaine, Cecelia Keating of DeGraff, and Mary Anita Reames of Springfield, a sister-in-law, Janice (Tom) Chandler of Winslow, IN, and several nieces and nephews.
Joel was a 1959 graduate of Rushsylvania High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in Vietnam. He worked at Merchant Industries in Bellefontaine for nearly 30 years until 1991 and retired from ORBIS Corporation in Urbana in 2006. Joel was a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #4378 in Russells Point, OH, and American Legion Scherer Post #493 in Jackson Center, OH. He was a farmer as heart and enjoyed raising his cows, looking at farm machinery, mowing grass, fishing, and mushroom hunting. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family including his dog, Tutu. To honor Joel, his family request that attendees wear blue, Joel’s favorite color.
Father Jarred Kohn will begin Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 13, 2025, at St. Mary of the Woods Church, 464 Madison Ave, Russells Point. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 12th from 4-7 pm at Shoffstall Funeral Home, 205 S. Main St, Lakeview and from 10-11 am, Thursday at church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Bellefontaine, with military rites performed by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Joel’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview, OH. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.
