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Joe Horn Obituary
WAYNESFIELD — Joe Rider Horn, 82, of Waynesfield, passed away quietly, surrounded by his family at 12:30 a.m., Sat. May 1, 2021, at Lima Memorial Health System.
"Grampa Joe" as he was affectionately known by the many young athletes and adults he coached and taught throughout the state, was born in Youngstown, OH, on Aug. 23, 1938. The son of Joe A. & Jeanne (DeSilvey) Horn, Joe
graduated from Liberty High School in 1956, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He went on to Oberlin College as a recruit to play baseball. He then became a two-time Little All American at wide receiver and as a mid-fielder in lacrosse, and he was also a two-year varsity starter in basketball.
Joe went on to earn his master's degree in Physical Education from Penn State in 1961 and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1976. His coaching and teaching career spanned 6 decades, involving elementary school through college scholar–athletes. Perhaps his most notable achievement was being named to the Ohio High School Track and Cross Country Coaches' Hall of Fame in 2016, having coached numerous boys' and girls' state champions in the sprints, hurdles, jumps, and pole vault. He retired from coaching in 2020.
His greatest passion was studying the Bible, participating in the life of the New Hampshire Community Church, and following Jesus Christ.
Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean and their two sons, Jay (Jodi) Horn, and Jon (Kitt) Horn. He has six grandchildren of whom he was immensely proud- Joe (Aly), Jamison (Carrie), Gray, Jaclyn (Jon), Morgan, and Ivy (Shayne). He was also the proud great grandfather of Peter,Arthur, and Nolan. Joe is also survived by his sister, Jennifer (Christopher) Browning. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Zina.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Sat. May 8, 2021, at the New Hampshire Community Church. Burial of his cremated remains will follow in the Walnut Hills Cemetery, near New Hampshire.
The family will receive family and friends 2-8 p.m., Fri. May 7, at the Waynesfield Chapel of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, and 1 hour prior to the service, Sat., at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the One Plus God Ministries at oneplusgod.org or send to 2890 Harding Hwy E., Unit G, Marion, OH 43302.
Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Horn
Bill Mason, Denison Lacrosse Captain and MVP
April 29, 2025
Joe was not only a good friend through lacrosse, but he was an intense competitor! As a senior at Denison in 1957 I had the pleasure of playing against Joe only two years, but it was Joe who broke my string of 38 Denison uncontested face-offs at Oberlin when he knocked me down. Joe was admired beyond belief and his competitive spirit remains a fond memory!
Edmond Aghajanian
May 5, 2021
Coach Horn was a very special person in the lives of all those he coached, well after the sound of his whistle faded. It didn’t matter if you played for him as a youth, a high school or a college athlete.
I grew up in Oberlin, just around the corner from the Joe and Jean Horn when they were coaching and teaching at Oberlin College. Coach Horn taught me and all of my friends how to skate and play ice hockey. There was nothing like spending an hour or two on the ice with Coach Horn. To a person, every single kid who was fortunate enough to spend time under his watchful eye, was privileged enough to receive his guidance and encouragement and was lucky enough to witness his teaching examples of patience and excellence in coaching has never forgotten the experience.
I coached lacrosse for 33 years and would always ask myself “What would Coach Horn do ” I was honored to have Coach Horn come and work an all-day skills clinic for my St. Ignatius High School teams in 1989 (he drove up 3 hours the night before in an ice storm). My 125 players in attendance that day were in awe of him, wooden stick, putty-nose eye glasses and all. Coach Horn never mentioned one word of any of his personal achievements or awards in lacrosse during our clinic. No surprise there.
I was one of those fortunate enough to call him “Coach.” He was and will always be my example of what being “A Coach” means to others.
Rest in Peace, Coach
Edmond Aghajanian -- ’78 Oberlin College Ice Hockey, Football and Lacrosse player, long time high school and college lacrosse coach and once-upon-a-time youth ice hockey player for Coach Joe Horn
Emma Pleiman
May 4, 2021
I enjoyed getting to know Joe when coaching track at Columbus Grove and Spencerville. I appreciated his competitive spirit, willingness to share knowledge and his desire for fairness and honesty in athletics. My sincere sympathy to all of his family.
Bill Mason
May 3, 2021
I knew Joe to be a friend through athletics and an honorable and trustworthy gentleman. He was one of the most fierce competitors ever to face off in lacrosse and because of his competitive nature, playing against him was a special challenge. He was admired and held great respect throughout athletic circles for his leadership and long coaching career.
Bill Mason '57 former Denison player, lacrosse coach and long time college basketball and lacrosse official
Jackie Stephenson, LSW
May 3, 2021
Prayers for you Jean and your family. Putnam County Hospice team
Doug Foley
May 3, 2021
One of the finest men that I have had the privilege to work with.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
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Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Eley Funeral Home & Crematory - Waynesfield200 E Wapakoneta St, Waynesfield, OH 45896
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Eley Funeral Home & Crematory - Waynesfield200 E Wapakoneta St, Waynesfield, OH 45896
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