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Joe Jagers Obituary
Joe was a 1947 graduate of Athens High School, attended Ohio University and was a 1951 graduate of Cincinnati College of Embalming. He never knew a stranger and cherished spending time with family, friends, and anyone willing to strike up a conversation. In his younger years, he raced in motorcycle enduro "mud runs" winning numerous trophies, including the Jack Pine in Michigan. He also loved boating on Lake Cumberland, where he made many lifelong family friends. Another favorite pastime of Joe's was collecting Athens High School yearbooks, organizing and attending AHS reunions.
He dedicated his life to the Athens community by comforting and caring for thousands of families through the Jagers and Sons Funeral Home for over 75 years, as well as the Richland Area Fire Department for over 63 years. The family business was more than just a career for Joe, it was his life. He truly adored each and everyday spent "at the office" helping families and making new friends. He was a member of the National and Ohio Funeral Directors Association.
Joe was a founding father and one of the first volunteers of the Richland Area Fire Department helping to equip them with their very first fire engine. He moved up the ranks, serving as chief from 1958-1970 and treasurer for more than 35 years.
Joe proudly served our country during the Korean War in the United States Army, as a medic, stationed in Japan, helping his brothers in need. Joe was also a proud servant in the Masons of Paramuthia Lodge #25 F&AM (70 year member), holding position of Worshipful Master in 1960 and served as Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th Masonic District. He was a member of Athens York Rite Bodies (65 year member Chapter, Council, Commandery), Kiwanis Club of Athens (60 years member and George F, Hixson Fellow), Athens Chapter 175 Order of the Eastern Star (65 year member), Aladdin Temple Shrine, Athens Co. Shrine Club, Amesville Grange 798, K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a Major on the Auxiliary Ohio State Highway Patrol for a number of years. Joe was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens and also enjoyed attending Genoa Baptist Church in Westerville, Ohio.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, September 6th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, 24 Morris Ave., Athens, OH 45701. Funeral service will be Wednesday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in W. Union St. Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion and VFW Post 9893 Honor Guards at the cemetery. Paramuthia Lodge 25 will hold Masonic Rites on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com. Joe Jagers
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Jagers
Sponsored by Jagers and Sons Funeral Home.
Jennifer Jagers
February 1, 2023
I love you daddy and miss you everyday. I couldn’t be more proud of you for everything you did in your 92 years and being a wonderful father. I’ll be seeing you again xoxo
Hilarie and Mark Burhans
November 17, 2022
Joe was our neighbor for many years. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He sure remained a vigorous, hard-working guy even in later years! Our condolences to Sally and the rest of his family.
Gary Seeley
September 19, 2022
Very sorry to discover this news. Joe was a good man that gave a lot to his community. My condolences to his family and his friends.
Gary Seeley
James Bruning
September 10, 2022
We were sorry to hear about the death of your dear husband and father. The Jagers' home always was a welcoming place for so many. Years later when we moved outside of the city of Athens, we found that among Joe's many civic contributions, he was instrumental in the starting of the Richland Avenue Fire Department. We always have been thankful and grateful for all of the similar contributions Joe made to the City of Athens and the entire Athens community. We especially wish to thank you for the wonderful trips when you included our daughter, Kathy. Your kindness will be remembered fondly by our entire family. Jim, Marlene and Kathy
SUSIE Nouse Pitts
September 8, 2022
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our family has known the Jagers family for many, many years and it's so hard when a long time friend or family member passes. We remember Joe very fondly and keep his family in our thoughts and prayers. John and Susie Nouse
September 8, 2022
Our family is keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers
The Lasure Family
Melinda, Chuck, Dave
Dwayne Spence
September 7, 2022
We just learned of Mr. Jaegers death and sorry to miss his funeral services. It was my pleasure to have known Joe over the years and will keep his family in our prayers.
September 7, 2022
Dear ones,
We were out of town when we heard of Mr. Jager's passing. Please know we share in your grief. We are sure he is being welcomed to his new home by many Beloved Family and Friends.
Much Love,
Demetrios, Holli & Vasilios Prokos
William Smith
September 7, 2022
On behalf of the Aladdin Shrine as the Divan Rep for Athens County Shrine Club, please accept our heartfelt sympathies and prayers.
Gilbert ( Buzz ) Hooper
September 6, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Betty & Michael Lambert
September 6, 2022
Have known Joe and family for years. He and his family were always friendly and there to assist if one needed help. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Roger Watson
September 6, 2022
Warm memories of Joe. I always appreciated his kindness at funerals. And I enjoyed the stories Bob Martin used to tell about he and Joe in their younger years. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Dave Redecket
September 6, 2022
God Bless you Joe. You were one of a kind, a true friend. We'll miss you
ERIC SMITH
September 6, 2022
Joe was a great man and good all around person. He was always smiling, and myself and the staff, thoroughly enjoyed him.
We had the amazing pleasure of seeing him through our working relationships and various continuing education adventures as fellow funeral directors and embalmers. The entire staff at the Frank E Smith Funeral Home and Crematory wish all the Jagers our deepest sympathy. We all will fondly cherish his memories.
Sincerely, F. Eric Smith
Thea Patestides Tsagaris
September 5, 2022
My mother,,Thea Patestides Tsagaris, was a dear school friend of Joe’s and talked about celebrating birthdays, because her birthday was Christmas Day. She attended all the class reunions with her husband (my father Steve that she met at her father’s restaurant Pat’s). My dad became friends with Joe while attending Ohio U. My mom is still living, has dementia but remembers all about Athens and her wonder friends from high school. She’ll be 93 on 12/25/22. When I told her about the passing of Joe, she became very sad but shared some beautiful stories about their adventures in Athens.
May your family find peace in his legacy. Our sympathies to all the Jaggers family. Memory Eternal for Joe.
Thea P Tsagaris (Barbara her daughter)
Largo, FL
Tom (clonch) Nicholson Nicholson
September 5, 2022
Known him long time though family passed away
Erin Austin Libbrecht
September 5, 2022
So sorry to read about Joe... I remember him from many, many years ago when our family would travel to Athens to see all of our Jagers family. I wish I had stayed closer to all of you... for my dad's (Barry Austin) sake! Lots of love and prayers to you ❤
Michael Thomas
September 5, 2022
Sorry to hear of Joe's passing! He was always so kind to me! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
John and Jane Gordon
September 5, 2022
My wife and I are saddened to learn of Joe's passing. We got to know Joe as members of the Kiwanis Club of Athens. He was a friendly, outgoing, and kind person who enjoyed serving people in the community. When we last saw him a few months ago, Joe reminisced about a fun boat trip that we Kiwanians took in 1977, in his boat down the Ohio to Gallipolis for an interclub meeting. We got the impression, that if possible, Joe would love to do it again, and we would also.
Joe was a good man and friend. We miss him already.
Jane and John Gordon, Athens Oh
John Kerr
September 5, 2022
A Wonderful Person. The Jagers family has long been a friend of The Kerr Family. We have enjoyed a full life together. From Steve and Don in school with us to vacationing in Kentucky and weekends on The Ohio River. I believe they were also Charter members of The Athens Boat and Ski Club. It’s an honor calling this family friends.
Jim Williams
September 5, 2022
So sorry for your loss! And our community has had a big loss too!!! Joe pretty well did it all and he was the go-to-guy. He knew everybody and what was going on in our town and he never stopped serving. I could listen to Joe talk about the old days for hours at a time. My family owes so much to John, Jerry, Joe and Tim over the many, many years! God Bless All Of You!!!
David Romine
September 4, 2022
Joe Jagers was like a second father to me and the First Fire Chief I had the pressure to serve under with Richland Area Fire Brigade in Athens, Ohio. Joe and Sally Jagers will be a part of my life forever. Sally I wish I could be there for you and the family. Joe had a huge effect on how my life turned out. RIP Chief, you will never be forgotten.
Barbara Hess Stoll Fean
September 4, 2022
He will be miss by mean people.He always had a smile on his face .I remember him being fire chief # 1 and my Dad was # 2 on at Richland Fire Deptment.
Keith and Sharon Wise McLead
September 4, 2022
A true friend to our entire family
Janet Sickels
September 4, 2022
You will be missed.
Mabel McKnight
September 3, 2022
Joe was considered a friend to the McKnight family and Ervin Family. Many of my family have passed through the Jagers Funeral Home. Thank you for all the kindness and respect you gave.
Marta K. Lyons
September 3, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sorry for your loss.
The Lyons/Frost family
Stephanie Thomas Crosbie
September 3, 2022
So sad to learn of my cousin Joe’s passing. He was always so sweet and kind to me. I fondly remember loving to visit Athens and going boating. He taught me how to water ski. Prayers to all my cousins. Wish I lived closer at these times
Mike L'Heureux
September 3, 2022
Sincere condolences for a gentleman that had a special gift for quietly comforting and supporting grieving families. So many wonderful memories over 56 years of living in Athens and knowing the Jager's always gave special care. Thank you Joe for your commitment to your profession in so many ways!
Sarah Rowan-Williams
September 3, 2022
Mr. Jagers was a friend of my fathers Charlie Rowan. He always knew me when he saw me because he thought I looked like my dad. He was a very kind man. My sympathies to the family.
Skip and Sonnie Vosler
September 3, 2022
Sally and family, we extend our sincere sympathy in learning the passing of Joe. An Athens legend who did so much for his city and county. We know that he will be missed.
Skip and Sonnie Vosler
Bonnie Yoho
September 3, 2022
So very sorry for your loss.
Sheila Harper
September 3, 2022
Such a true fixture in the community
Joe was such a super duper guy,
& we could come to him for anything whether we are smiling or crying
When seeing him around town, we'd say, "Hi Joe! How's work?"
He would without missing a beat reply back, "It's a dying business...Oh, hello all"
Thank you & Bless your Family
Michael Hunter
September 2, 2022
I met Joe when the Highway Patrol transferred me to Athens in 1994. He was part of the Patrol's Auxiliary officers. He offered me a place to stay while I looked for housing. He was as friendly as anyone I ever met, and I enjoyed being around him. I'm sorry he is gone.
Leeanna Potts
September 2, 2022
So sorry for the loss of Joe Jagers. When I worked taking obituaries at The Athens Messenger I got to know Joe Jagers and the Jagers family members at the funeral home regularly. Many of my family from Athens went to Jagers Funeral Home. I agree with how friendly Joe was. He was also very informed and educated and shared his knowledge with me. He spoke of his connection with the fire department and his trip to Hawaii to see the Pearl Harbor Memorial. He knew Roy Cross who also worked at the newspaper when I did and I got to hear Athens area history from them when they were talking. He got to live a full life and after reading his obituary I admire all he got to do in his time here on earth! His family is blessed and May God be with you all during your loss. Our future reunion in Heaven will be Interesting to say the least. Make sure you know Jesus and what God gave us so we can be in Heaven. Prayers and May God Bless and keep you in his care.
Tom Thompson
September 2, 2022
Joe was always so nice to me when I visited my Aunt Mabel, who lived above the funeral home on Congress St.
One of the best gifts was an oriental jacket that had a tiger on one side and a dragon on the other that Joe gave to me.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Marcia Maxwell Long
September 2, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Joe was comforting to me and my family during the loss of my great grandparents, grandparents, and my fathers.
Pamela Decker Knapp
September 2, 2022
This news makes me so sad. Joe, Jerry and Tim are like family. They have taken care of all my family when they passed. They went above for us every time. There are so many times. One I always hold in my heart. When my Mother Kathryn Decker Saunders passed. We were in Columbus. He stopped and pick up my brother Kenneth Saunders and brought him to Columbus with him. So he could drive his dad home and I could ride home in the hearse with my mom. I promised her I would bring her home. This is just one special care they did. There are so many I don't have fingers to count. And Jerry and Tim have done them too. Heaven gained an angel when Joe left this earth. My sympathy to all the Jagers Family. I pray there will always be a Jagers be around to take care of my family. No funeral home can hold a candle to the Jager Family. Rest well Joe you deserve your Heavenly reward. You are missed
Marisol Quezada
September 2, 2022
My deepest condolences to the Jagers family, I accompany you in your pain, despite the distance.
I remember Joe, the good times shared with him and the family, he was an exemplary man, a good husband, a good father, a good grandfather, a good father-in-law.
He will always be in our minds and hearts, he will always take care of the family,
Losing such a loved one, leaves an emptiness and sadness in our lives that we only hope will pass with time.
But we know that he is in a better place in heaven, next to God, resting without pain or earthly anguish.
My sincerest condolences to the whole family.
R.I.P.
Marisol Quezada and Family.
Martha Carson
September 2, 2022
My condolences.
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