Joseph A. Reineke, Jr., 85, of St. Marys, died at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at JTDM Hospital in St. Marys.

He was born June 16, 1938 in St. Marys to Joseph and Margaret (Heckler) Reineke Sr. On July 18, 1964 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, he married Mary Leilajo Silver, who survives.

Also survived by: son Joseph A. Reineke, III of St. Marys; daughters Jody (Aaron Ballinger) Reineke of Celina, Angela (Chip) Dzalamanow of St. Marys, and Julie (Brett) Liming of St. Marys; six grandchildren: Charles (Jess) Ginter, Abby (Brian) Eshelman, Jordan Reineke, Brodie Liming, Monique Homan, and Skylar Liming; five great-grandchildren: Presley Eshelman, Lela Eshelman, Cleo Eshelman, Jensen Ginter, and Jared Ginter; sisters Shirley Eshelman of St. Marys and Barbara (James) Rohr of Chickasaw; brothers James (Bev) Reineke of New Knoxville and Charles Reineke of Alabama.

He was preceded in death by parents; sisters Janet (Willis) Harruff and Mary Myers and brothers Robert (Lahoma) Reineke; Gene Reineke and Donald (Martha) Reineke.

He proudly served his country as a military policeman in the United States Army. He worked as a patrolman for the St. Marys Police Department, then for the Parker-Hanifin Corp. in St. Marys. He retired from the Ford Motor Co. - Lima Engine Plant after 38 years of service as a journeyman maintenance technician. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, VFW Post #9289, American Legion Post #323, Eagles Lodge Aerie #767, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1473 and the National Rifle Association. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Other interests included attending auto races and tractor pulls. He was a supportive fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State University football teams. He also liked to visit casinos. More than anything else, he treasured the time that he spent with his family. He will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather. Our loss is Heaven's gain!

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday January 20, 2024, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Muhlenkamp, celebrant. Burial, with military funeral honors, will follow at the Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road (Ohio 703 West) in St. Marys.

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared with Joe's family via www.millerfuneralhomes.net.