Joseph R. Newlove

1944 - 2021

(News story) Joseph R. Newlove, a real estate broker and auctioneer who built a prominent business in Fulton County following a stint as an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper, died June 23 at ProMedica Ebeid Hospice Residence in Sylvania. He was 76.

His daughter, Jill Armstrong, said he died of a blood disorder following an extended illness.

By the 1980s, Joe Newlove Real Estate and Auctions was a household name in Wauseon and the surrounding area, family members said.

Mr. Newlove's reputation for his honesty and work ethic drew clients to him.

"If you called him on a Sunday and wanted to see [a property] on a Monday, he would make it happen," daughter-in-law Wanda Newlove said. "There was no off time for him."

In a 1988 Blade story, Mr. Newlove said rapport with the community and integrity were key in the business.

"You have to do the full job without taking shortcuts," he said at the time. "Satisfied customers tell other customers."

Mr. Newlove attended courses at Bowling Green State University, Northwest State Community College, Owens Community College, and Hondros College to become a real estate broker in 1979.

The entire family was involved in the business, particularly on weekends when most auctions were held. Mrs. Armstrong said he practiced his chant in the shower, sometimes to his children's chagrin when friends were visiting.

"He taught us work ethic, without a doubt," Mrs. Armstrong said. "Other kids were sleeping in on Saturdays. Not us."

Mr. Newlove likened his operation to that of a carnival, which often included food sales.

"We move in, set up, do the sale, then tear down before moving on to the next one," he told The Blade in 1988.

Jeff Newlove, who obtained an auctioneers license in 1988, said his father loved building relationships in the community that spanned decades and extended to multiple generations of families.

"Everybody knew you when you went around, and you met a lot of people," his son said. "We made such lasting friendships."

Even after he sold the business in 2010, Mr. Newlove still enjoyed attending auctions and catching up with people and families he knew.

"He had a memory that just wouldn't quit," the younger Mr. Newlove said. "He loved it. He could just go there and sit and talk with everyone."

His father also loved giving back, working charity auctions for numerous groups such as the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Relay for Life, and Ducks Unlimited. Mrs. Armstrong said the family has received messages from numerous people he had helped over the years.

"Those are the things you don't see as a kid, growing up," she said. "A lot of the stories, we just had no idea. He just did things without expecting anything in return."

Over the years, Mr. Newlove earned the Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Salesman Award several times. He also was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Ohio Association of Realtors, Northwest Board of Realtors, National Auction Association, and Ohio Auctioneers Association.

He also volunteered with Fulton County Crime Stopper for many years after being a state trooper from 1969 to 1974 until a medical issue forced him to change careers.

"He wanted to help people," Mrs. Armstrong said. "He was all about that."

In 1970, Mr. Newlove and two other troopers earned an award after pulling a woman and her son from a burning home on Airport Highway near Eber Road.

For about 10 years in the mid-1990s to mid-2000s, Mr. Newlove co-owned a couple of horses that raced at area fairgrounds. While it was a hobby, it also tied in to his business through networking opportunities, his son said.

"That was his relaxing, but he could still talk to people and meet people," the younger Mr. Newlove said. "Those were probably his happiest years."

Later on, grandchildren became his "greatest legacy," his daughter said.

He attended sporting events, checked in with each of them after their games, and watched DVDs of those same games over and over again.

"He was very firm with us and expected a lot of us," Mrs. Armstrong said. "But he just melts with his grandkids. He was all in for those grandkids."

Born Aug. 31, 1944 in Rudolph, Ohio, Mr. Newlove was the youngest of three children to Elmer and Gertrude Newlove. He graduated from Westwood High School in 1962.

Surviving are children, Jeff Newlove and Jill Armstrong; sister Rose Newlove, and six grandchildren.

A public gathering on his behalf will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Sully's, 206 N. Fulton St., Wauseon.