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Joseph Nameth Obituary
Joe graduated from Creston High School in 1959 where he excelled in three sports. He was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan where he played basketball for two years. Upon graduation, he married and joined the Air Force. He was promoted to colonel in 1985 and retired in 1993. Joe served in North Dakota, Japan, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, Korea, Washington D.C., and Germany. His two favorite assignments were at the Pentagon as legislative liaison between the USAF and Congress, and Commander of the 1141st USAF Support Squadron in Stuttgart, Germany.
In 2001, he and his wife returned to Michigan and settled in Mears where he enjoyed civic activities with the Pentwater Service Club, Board of Directors of the Andrea Bosse Center, VFW, Oceana Community Foundation and the Pentwater Yacht Club. He loved life and every single person he ever met; he only wished he could have met more of them. Joe never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife Rilla; son, Joe and his wife Marianne; daughter, Andrea; two grandchildren, Joe and Michaela; brother, Dan and his wife Marideene; a niece, Tracy Bougoulas and her husband Jim.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; son, David; brother, Michael; and nephew, Daniel Jr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held online at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2020, at www.stgregoryathart.org. Please log on and follow the steps to view the service on YouTube. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Oceana Medical Care Facility, 501 E. Main Street, Hart, MI 49420; the Pentwater VFW, 8440 N US31, Pentwater, MI 49449; or the Hart VFW, 802 S State St, Hart, MI 49420.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Nameth
Sponsored by Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service - King-Hart Chapel.
Steve Dawson
August 2, 2025
Col Nameth was my commander in 1989-1990 in Stuttgart, Germany. He really cared about the people in the 1141st, and was a great leader and mentor.
Aaron Sisko
July 5, 2020
Col. Nameth was a good man and leader. He was my Air Force JROTC instructor 1994-1998, he was a great person, teacher, and most of all mentor. The loss of the great man will truly be felt and missed.
Dorinda Vankempen
June 30, 2020
Rilla, we just heard about Joe's death and reading his obituary we wish we could have known him, especially for the service he gave our country and our community. We send our sympathy and condolences to your whole family. May his memory be part of you forever. Blessings,
Dorinda and Gary VanKempen
Al Bruner
June 25, 2020
I owe so much to this man and his memory will always be a blessing to me. He was a very wise mentor to me and quiet hero for me. May light perpetual shine upon him and may he Rest In Peace.
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Stuart & Eleanor Hartger
June 6, 2020
Joe was a kind man whos energy and enthusiasm made life more joyful for lots of people. He made us laugh with his jokes as Rilla patiently observed with a smile, having heard them many times before. We will remember and miss him.
Stuart & Eleanor Hartger Pentwater, MI
Norma Sain
May 28, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to Namath family. May your great memories bring you peace. God has receive a special man.
With love,
Norma and Bill Sain
John Dykstra
May 26, 2020
Great friend and fellow classmate. Will be remembered.
David Smoes
May 24, 2020
I have memories of Joe because I played one game of basketball against his team when I played for Harrison Park Jr. High, coached by his father, Danny Nameth.
His dad was so very proud of him.
My sympathy to his family.
CHRIS & LARRY CONROY
May 21, 2020
One of the kindest and most humble man or family had the pleasure to know abeit a short time later in his later years. You are now at peace and pray your family is too.
Phil Boadt
May 21, 2020
Joe and I were high school classmates; he and I both participated in football and basketball at Creston High School. I lost track of Joe after leaving high school and by a coincidence of mere chance we met 53 years later, both waiting to have an oil change in Ludington. Joe was a great storyteller and it was easy to listen, even as the years took their toll on his mind, as he had forgotten that he had already told that story earlier. Miss you Joe! RIP
Quintus & Donna Renshaw
May 21, 2020
What a great friend. A truly genuine man who loved to share his Hungarian childhood with me and who keep everyone mesmerized with his amazing history. Joe, we will all miss you. Some people light up a room but you lit up people and made them your friend. A true gift and we will miss you. You are in our hearts Rilla and our arms of comfort are around you.
Annette Hilton
May 20, 2020
We always enjoyed talking with Joe. What a great guy. Rilla, Leonard and I will forever be certain that Joe was the jock on the beach in the photo we showed the two of you years ago at PYC. RIP, Joe.
Joyce & Dick Toner
May 20, 2020
Col Joe was a very special person and a great friend. He was a regular guy who was a man of the world. We are blessed to have known him.
Ed oberle
May 20, 2020
Never will forget the childhood memories of Joe ,Dan and myself on Lyon St. Best memories ever . Ed
Gary Pleva
May 19, 2020
When ever I saw Joe, I asked if he would sign my football! He would smile and say sure! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Gary J Pleva.
Betty Lou Pleva
May 19, 2020
Dear Rilla and family, Our deepest heartfelt sympathies to all. May comfort be found in faith and the promise of everlasting life. Betty and Gary
Mark R. Parrish
May 18, 2020
To the Family of Col. Joseph L. Nameth,
The membership of American Legion Post #234 in Hart, Michigan, would like to share our deepest sympathy with your family on your loss. Col. Nameths service to our country makes him a hero as far as were concerned and certainly youre very proud of him, too. We want you to know that his brothers and sisters in arms now share in your grief.
Warmest Regards and God bless you all.
Mark R. Parrish, Commander
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