Fred Joseph "Joe" Emshwiller

Fred Joseph “Joe” Emshwiller, 72 of Bluffton suffered a heart attack and passed away Tuesday evening, May 10, 2011 at his residence in Bluffton. Joe was born on October 15, 1938 in Bluffton to Fred Craven & Helen Arlene (Smith) Emshwiller. He graduated from Bluffton High School with the class of 1956. He went on to study and graduate from International Business College with a degree in Accounting. He served as the Owner / Accountant of Emshwiller & Emshwiller with his brother Ned starting in 1962, and worked a full day on Tuesday at the firm. Joe faithfully served our country in the United States Army. On September 3, 1961 in Bluffton he married Loretta “Frankie” (Miller) Emshwiller. They shared 50 years of marriage together. Joe was very dedicated to our community. He was a member of the Bluffton Masonic Lodge #145, The Elks Lodge, The Kiwanis Club of Greater Bluffton, and served for many years on the Board of Bluffton Cemeteries. Joe has played a vital role for many years on the Board of the Bluffton Free Street Fair. Last year he and Frankie were honored as the Grand Marshals for the 100th Bluffton Free Street Fair. Frankie passed away on August 31, 2010, however, Joe with his positive spirit, rode the Grand Marshall Carriage through the opening night parade with his family, in loving memory of Frankie. Joe is survived by his children; Mrs. Don “Brenda” Stafford of West Chester, Ohio, John J. (wife Donna) Emshwiller of Bluffton and Mrs. Isaac K.G. “Patricia” Fokuo of Nairobi, Kenya, along with 9 grandchildren; Matthew, Douglas, Clayton and Coleman Stafford, Rachel & Lucas Emshwiller and Jayden, Simon & Zahra Fokuo. He is also survived by his brothers Ned (wife Judy) Emshwiller of Muncie and Kent (wife Jean) of Bluffton along with a sister Mrs. Kenneth “Ann” Taylor of Washington. He is preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Beth (Emshwiller) McCarty and husband Daivd. Friends are invited to visit with Joe’s family from 2 to 8 on Tuesday at the Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, with calling one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Cindy Osgood and Ted Ellis will officiate. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Military Honors will be preformed by the American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton and the United States Army Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or to the First United Methodist Church. Friends can send online condolences to www.thomarich.com.

Fred Joseph "Joe" Emshwiller

October 15, 1938 - May 10, 2011