Joseph E. Orthoefer

Joseph "Joe" E. Orthoefer, 94, passed away after a short illness on Sunday, November 24, 2024.  He was born on November 23, 1930 in Columbus, OH.  Joe married Audrey (Forsgren) Orthoefer in 1956 and they were married for 29 years until her death in 1985.  He married Patricia (Oliver) Orthoefer in 1989 and they were married for 27 years until her death in 2016.   He was a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Veterinary Degree (1949-1956) and University of Minnesota with a Master's Degree in Public Health (1966-1968).  He was the Director of the Winnebago County Health Department for 26 years, retiring in 1997.  He was a Master Gardener and enjoyed woodworking in his shop.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathy (Jim) Freymiller and Marcia (Rich) Price, both of Melbourne, FL; step-daughter, Jennifer Oliver of Washington State; grandchildren, Haley Freymiller of Melbourne, FL, Evan (Liz) Freymiller of Melrose, MA and Grace Price of Boston, MA; great-grandchild, Aiden Freymiller of Melrose, MA; sister, Charlotte (Ken) Mills of Columbus, OH; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved pet dog, Zee.  Predeceased by his parents; his two wives; sisters, Rita Scott of Dayton, OH and Mary Ann (Don) Streets of Homosassa, FL; brothers, Carl Orthoefer, Frank (Linda) Orthoefer of Knoxville, TN and John (Carol) Orthoefer of Gainesville, FL; step-son, Mark Oliver of Florida (on December 31, 2023); and step-daughter, Annette Oliver of Colorado.

The family wishes to thank his caregivers, Marisa Bernachea, Augusta Kportufe and Jolanta Smith for their wonderful care of Joseph.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Honquest Funeral Home - Loves Park Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd. Loves Park, IL, 61111, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. 

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