Joe Gary Dierkes

Joe Gary Dierkes, 80, of Clarington, died at 7:14 P.M. on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Genesis Hospice-Morrison House, Zanesville, He was born May 18, 1937 on the family farm near Round Bottom, Ohio, Monroe County, a son of the late George Carl and Grace Lallathin Dierkes. He was a member of the first graduating class of 1955, of River High School, Hannibal, Ohio. He was a United States Army Veteran 25th Division, known as Tropical Lightning, and a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Joe retired from Conalco after almost forty-eight years of dedicated service. He was a basketball official in the OVAC from 1962 to 1978 and was an inductee into the OVAC Basketball Hall of Fame. He was a true lawn care aficionado, straight lines and all. Joe had a true passion for working on his farm, his beloved Cleveland Indians, and Ohio State Buckeyes. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Janice Hiestand Dierkes, whom he married December 24, 1959; four sons, Lee (Donna) Dierkes, Ty J. (Erin) Dierkes, Jon Dierkes, and Kelly (Tabi) Dierkes; eight grandchildren, Alayna (Sean) Kelly, Elyse Dierkes, Jesse Dierkes, Cody D. Dierkes, Natasha (Austin) Kinser, Joe D. Dierkes, Emily Dierkes, and Eric Dierkes; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Kinser; two brothers, Dennis (Sue) Dierkes and Keith (Judy) Dierkes; a sister, Cheryl (Greg) Dennison; and a special sister-in-law, Rita Josselyn. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Patricia E. Hupp Dierkes. Friends and family may call from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at HARPER FUNERAL HOME, 52728 OHIO AVENUE, BEALLSVILLE where funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 31, 2017, with Pastor Jim Porter officiating. He will be laid to rest at Clarington Cemetery, Clarington, Ohio. Full Military Honors will be accorded to him by American Legion Post 760 at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Hospice-Morrison House, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or to Clarington Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 256, Clarington, Ohio 43915. Dignified and professional services entrusted to BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME.

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