Joseph Michael Kokoruda, age 80, of Marysville, entered eternal life on Christmas morning, Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Memorial Hospital.
Joe was a veteran of the United States Air Force, an ambassador for Christ, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Marysville, and a public-committed member of the People of God’s Love Community. He was an avid Steelers and Buckeye fan. After 25 years of crash-testing cars at the Transportation Research Center, Joe retired and took a job teaching Drivers’ Education. He loved to drive with his students through Green Pastures and explain the names of the streets, especially Damascus and Emmaus. He loved the Lord and shared Him everywhere he went. He was a closet inventor that wasted nothing.
He was born July 23, 1941 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to the late Michael and Mary Strippy Kokoruda. He was also preceded in death by a brother Bob Kokoruda, his sisters, Dorothy Ruth, Sr. Pat Kokoruda, Mary Lou Dlhosh and Jean Mosimann; a sister-in-law, Debra Lashley and brothers-in-law, Al Mosimann and Joseph Lashley.
He is survived by his wife of 27 blessed years, Christine “Tina” Lashley Kokoruda; step-sons Joey and Gary Barnard; grandchildren, Christopher and Tim Barnard, Joseph and Michelle Isaacs; great-grandchildren, Christina and Jacob Isaacs and Justus Barnard; his God-daughter, Kateri Mosimann; brothers-in-law, Dick Ruth, Jim Mosimann, Frank (Toni) Lashley, Phillip (Tess) Lashley, Don (Cindy) Lashley, Richard Lashley, Tim (Ann) Lashley, Larry (Linda) Lashley; sisters-in-law, Julie (Larry) Kurtz and Jenny (Warren) Hart; and many nieces, nephews, and greats of the Mosimann and Dlhosh families.
Stepson Gary wrote this tribute: “The light of the Christmas tree that Aunt Jenny sent was still on and it’s like the light in his heart that will always shine in our hearts because of what he meant to us.” The family wishes to thank those at The Gables who attended to his last month of life and ViaQuest Hospice for their loving care and guidance. Joe’s life verse was Wisdom 3:7 “In the time of their visitation they will shine forth and will run like sparks through stubble.” The family will receive friends 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Underwood Funeral Home where the Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, December 31, 2021 at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Kevin J. Kavanagh will officiate. Graveside services and interment will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church building fund. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.