Joe E. Hoghe

Joe E. Hoghe, 82, of Middle Point, passed away at 1:34 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020, at the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

He was born June 16, 1938, in Van Wert County, the son of Kenneth and Helen (Neer) Hoghe, who both preceded him in death. Raised in the Middle Point area, Joe graduated from Van-Del High School in 1956. After high school he served in the U.S. Army. 

Joe loved going to the Van Wert Cinemas weekly, playing cards, and Bingo. He was known as “Ohio Joe” at his Camp Inn home in Florida, when he would yell “5-5 for the Buckeyes” when the Bingo caller yelled “G-55.”

He loved sports and enjoyed coaching men’s softball for many years. Joe was a truck driver for 32 years with Borden Foods and Schneider Transport where he was honored with safe driver awards. His most recent job was working the box office at the Van-Del Drive-In. Joe loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers and was proud to be an American and adored President Trump. He was a past board member of Van Wert County Council on Aging, Middle Point Ball Park, Lincolnview Local Board of Education, where he served as the first president of the Athletic Booster Club, Moose Lodge, Middle Point Amvets post, and the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). He was a past member of the Middle Point Snow Twisters. He was also a member of Middle Point United Methodist Church. Joe loved sitting on his porch with family and friends watching his hummingbirds and squirrels.

Joe married the former Barbara Wilson in 1961 and the late Nancy Hoghe on August 29, 1991. In addition to Nancy, Joe was preceded in death by his son, Troy Hoghe; a daughter, Tracy Bishop; one son-in-law, Jeff Bidlack; and a sister, Mildred (Bill) Johnson.

Joe is survived by his beloved poodle named Zoey; two daughters, Tina Eley and Tonya Hoghe of Middle Point; three stepchildren, Lisa (Tony) Crawford of Convoy, Jenni Bidlack of Van Wert, and Donald (Kristin) Rogers of Virginia; a son-in-law, Mark Bishop of Florida; one sister, Rene (Vernon) Hundley of Middle Point; and brother, Dana Hoghe of Cecil. Joe had 11 grandchildren, Tyler Hoghe, Jackie (Eli) Wagler, Ayla (Jared) Myers, Ryan (Erika) Bidlack, Dustin (Kayla) Bidlack, Heather (Joe) Grant, Jessica (Kyle) Hissong, Tony (Miranda) Crawford Jr., and Colten, Cadyn, and Constantine Rogers; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Due to Covid-19 considerations, a memorial service for the family will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 28, at the Middle Point Community Building. Burial will take place at King Cemetery in Washington Township.

Memorials are to the Middle Point United Methodist Church or the Middle Point Fire Department.

Condolences may be expressed at cowanfuneralhome.com.