Joseph D. Rojahn
June 11, 1928 - January 7, 2017
Dallastown
Joseph D. Rojahn, 88, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Manor Care South York. He was the loving husband of Carolyn A. (Grove) Rojahn.
Born June 11, 1928 in Dallastown, he was the son of the late Isaiah H and Flossie A. (Sechrist) Rojahn.
Joseph graduated from Dallastown High School, class of 1946. In 1950, he received a BA in Social Studies and Spanish from Lebanon Valley College, and in 1956, a Master's Degree from Penn State University. He began his teaching career in Wintertown School District before moving to Loganville-Springfield Elementary School in Dallastown after receiving elementary certification in 1954 from Millersville State College. Joseph served as curriculum coordinator and director of federal program for Dallastown Area School District from 1959 to 1985, after which he was a member of adjunct faculty at York College of Pennsylvania until 2006.
A devoted Christian, Joe was Children's Director at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown for 25 years, and also served as music coordinator and sang in the choir since he was 16 years old.
A proud member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers, Joe also worked as a lyricist for several publishing companies, and had 91 choral works published.
A devoted patriot, Joe served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was also a life member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, National Education Association, the Red Lion Masonic Lodge and the Dallastown Golden Age Chorus.
In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Joe is survived by his son, David H. Rojahn and his wife, Bonnie of Tampa, FL; his daughter, Beth A. Rojahn of Dallastown; and three grandchildren, Noah Rojahn, Margaret Rojahn and Peter Rojahn. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. John Rojahn and Phillip Rojahn; and two sisters, Hope Eberly and Jane Myers.
A funeral service to celebrate Joseph's life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem United Methodist Church; 109 E. Main St., Dallastown, with the Rev. Roger Mentzer officiating. A time to share memories and an opportunity to view will also be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow in Home Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's name may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund at the above church address.
To share memories of Joseph D. Rojahn and view a memorial video tribute, please visit
www.eberlyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by York Daily Record on Jan. 11, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Rojahn

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9 Entries

Nancy Taylor

January 13, 2017

What a privilege it was to know Joe Rojahn! He got along with everybody!! He was kind, funny and always encouraging. He had a smile for everyone in all situations. My Santa Claus collection is greatly enhanced with the Santa that I call Joe Rojahn because it looks so much like Joe with the wire glasses, round cheeks and wonderful smile. It was always a thrill to sing one of Joe' songs in church. And his beautiful voice made every song he sang much more special. He will be missed.

Joe Meyers

January 13, 2017

Remembrance. -- More than 66 years ago Uncle Joe taught me my first song "If a knew you were a comin' I'd a baked a _______." I filled in the blank loudly: "CAKE!" I was just 4 and 5 years old when he took me to his Winterstown one-room school to celebrate the end of the school year. We enjoyed being in his school even though it had an outhouse! He was our elementary Sunday School teacher and we loved to sing with him. By my 4-5th grade year I began doing snow, sitter, and garden/yard work for the family and enjoyed my job until 1966 when he took me to interview at LVC. He was a joy to work for and we will miss his joy. He loved to tell funny stories and to sing with deep emotion.
I was named in honor of Uncle Joe. He and another Uncle Joe were my father's and mother's youngest brothers. All my aunts and uncles helped me when I was young and made me a better person. I hope I can pass forward the joy of life that Uncle Joe gave to me. All the wonderful memories make me feel a little less sorrow in our loss. From our Family -- To Carolyn, David, and Beth Alice -- May we express our deepest sympathy in your loss.
Joe Meyers

J. Michael Meyers

Sent Flowers

Lori Hagaman

January 11, 2017

Very fond childhood memories of a wonderful man. Always loved hearing Joe sing. He is one of the reasons that my heart belongs to Dallastown. He made us all proud. Joe Rojahn will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Sharing the sorrow with his family.

TERRY BOLTON

January 11, 2017

Carolyn and Family, Thinking of you all at this sad time. Terry

Jayne Baldwin

January 11, 2017

Mike and I were so blessed to know Joe. We loved getting his beautiful Christmas messages and were always excited to receive a new piece of music. He was a wonderful administrator and always made those around him feel good. He will certainly be missed.

Bonnie Rojahn

January 10, 2017

On Saturday I lost someone I love very much, my father-in-law, Joe Rojahn. Dad, although I only knew you for a little over two years, it was plenty of time for me to fall in love with you. You welcomed me into your family and loved me as only a father can. I thank you for that and for sharing your son, David Rojahn, with me. You truly raised a great man and I am very blessed to be his wife and very honored to carry your name. You may not have realized how great your influence was upon your son, both as a man and in his life's work. I love you, I will miss you every day of my life that remains upon this earth, but I take great solace in knowing that you are now in heaven singing (in that beautiful tenor voice of yours) with the great choir of angels, and I look forward to the day when I will be greeted into heaven by that choir and reunited with you again, for all eternity. Teach those angels some of your songs Dad, and we will all sing them again, together, one day. Until we meet again...

Marilyn Van Buskirk

January 10, 2017

To My Uncle Joe's family, my thoughts are with you and I would.be too but the body won't cooperate.you all know how I loved Joe. My fond memories are Joe in our kitchen between Sunday School and church telling stories having coffee.H is musical talent was something to behold.He will be missed by his large Rojahn family R I P You are loved.

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