Joseph H. Dues

Joseph Henry Dues, age 75, of rural Portland, passed away with his family at his side on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

He was born on May 17, 1950, in Celina, Ohio, to the late Cletus and Martha (Grieshop) Dues.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon (Rammel) Dues, whom he married on July 29, 1972, and who passed away on November 29, 2012; his grandson, Allen Dues; his brother Ted Dues; his father-in-law, Fred Rammel; and his in-law, Beck Rammel.

Joe is survived by his wife, Katie (Waymire) Hummel Dues, whom he married on August 10, 2024; his children, Shelly (Jeff) Vaughn of Fort Recovery, Joe (Gail) Dues of Portland, Pamela (Pete) Reinhart of New Bremen, Timothy (Casey) Dues of New Bremen, and Benjamin (Jamie) Dues of Portland; Kate’s children, Chad Hummel and fiancé, Cindy Webster of California and Holly (Michael) Gower of Fort Recovery; his 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; his siblings, Ken (Jeanette) Dues of Fort Recovery, Sue (Mike) May of Fort Recovery, Fred (Marge) Dues of Coldwater, Freda (Hank) Lochtefeld of Celina, Frank (Beck) Dues of Fort Recovery, and Danny Dues of Union City; his sister-in-law, Bev Dues of Coldwater; his mother-in-law, Delma Rammel of Fort Recovery; his in-laws, Larry (Ginny) Rammel of Greenville, Janice (Herb) Grieshop of Celina, Dave Rammel of Fort Recovery, Marge (Fred) Dues of Coldwater, Tom (Sandy) Rammel of Coldwater, Jane (Paul) Kaverman of Geneva, Rick (Phyllis) Rammel of Coldwater, Steve Rammel and fiancé, Lisa Bricher of Coldwater, and Randy (Angie) Rammel of Fort Recovery; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was a 1969 graduate of Coldwater High School. He spent many years as a part-owner of F&J Farm Service before purchasing a dairy farm in Jay County, where he farmed and raised his family for the next 25 years. His strong work ethic led him to continue his career at C&L Fab, Pax Machine, and eventually Fort Recovery Industries, from which he retired in 2013.

A man of faith, Joe was a devoted member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He was also active in the community as a member of the Fort Recovery Knights of Columbus, a volunteer fireman in Salamonia, and a past member of the Fort Recovery Ambassadors.

Joe had a deep love for the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and camping were among his favorite activities, especially when shared with his family. His family was his pride and joy. He loved hosting large family gatherings at the farm, always cooking enough to feed an army. In recent years, he found joy in traveling and especially cherished winters spent in Florida with Kate. Joe was a proud member of the "Berry Boys" and was a charter member of the "He Man Woman Haters Club".

A skilled woodworker, Joe crafted many items that will be treasured by his loved ones for generations. He believed in the value of hard work and passed that belief on to his children and grandchildren. A gentle teacher, he gave others the space to grow, always leading with patience and kindness.

Though he was a mountain of a man, Joe was truly a teddy bear at heart: strong, kind, and full of love.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Guests may visit with Joe’s family on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at Brockman Boeckman Funeral Home. A Knights of Columbus prayer service will be held at 6:45 PM on Tuesday.

As the kind man Joe was, the family requests that in lieu of flowers and sympathy gifts, that you pass forward an act of kindness in memory of Joe. Memorial contributions may also be given to the Gardens at St. Henry, 522 Western Ave St Henry, OH 45883 or the Center for Neurological Development, PO Box 117, Burkettsville, OH 45310.

.Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.