Joseph Edward Orth

Joseph Edward Orth, age 92, of Trenton, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, died Sunday, August 19, 2018 surrounded by family after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Middletown on Feb 20, 1926 to immigrant parents Emrick and Mary (Oshust) Orth of Slovensky Grob and Trnava, Slovakia. The fifth of eight children, Joe attended St. John’s School and graduated from Middletown High School in 1944. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served on the USS Randall in the Pacific, participating in the Okinawa campaign and preparations for the invasion of Japan. After the war, he returned to Middletown to operate his grandfather’s tavern on Lafayette Ave. On October 8, 1949, he married the love of his life, Bebe Scola in Kokomo, Indiana. They moved to Trenton in 1951, where they raised a family and became an active part of the community. Joe worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Division 8, retiring as Utilities Supervisor in 1986.

Joe was a wonderful father, grandfather, and loyal and loving friend to so many. He loved people and spent much of his time helping to care for the sick and others in need. He was an active member of Holy Name Parish, president of the American Citizen’s Club of Middletown, on the boards of Calvary Cemetery and Catholic Social Services, and helped with the food pantry in Trenton. He was an avid fisherman and gardener, and enjoyed hunting and trapping in his earlier years. A proud veteran, Joe spent over 20 years as chaplain to his USS Randall ship reunion group, travelling with his wife to annual reunions all over the US.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Libera (Bebe), a daughter Cathi (Tom) Thomas of Wayne Township, sons Joe II (Dewi) of Bataam Indonesia, and Dan of Trenton; four grandchildren, Jim (Alisha) Thomas, Libby (Joe) Condo, Susan (Rahul) Bhikha and Cody Orth; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Carole Orth; brother-in-law Jack Downey, and 23 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and 7 siblings: Henry, John, Paul, Mary LaRock, Anastasia, Ann Lehman, and Phyllis Downey.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 to 11:00 am at Holy Name Church in Trenton, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 at the church. Burial services will be at Butler County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Calvary Cemetery Fund 201 Clark St. Middletown, OH 45042, or Holy Name Church, 222 Hamilton Ave. Trenton OH 45067. The family would like to thank the many doctors, support staff, medical personnel, and especially the wonderful staff of Hospice of Middletown for the love and care they gave to Joe during his illness.