Joseph Van Reeth
August 20, 1935 — February 13, 2016
Joseph D. Van Reeth, 80 of Zanesville passed away peacefully on February 13, 2016 while under the care of Genesis Hospice at the Morrison House.
Joe was born in Rix Mills, Ohio, on August 20, 1935. He was the son of Carl Joseph and Jessie (Shepherd) Van Reeth. Joe was a 1953 graduate of New Concord High School, he attended the Westwood Baptist Church in Zanesville and he retired in 1988 after 32 years from Champion Spark Plug in Cambridge, Ohio where he worked as a supervisor.
Joe never met a stranger. He had a smile and kind word for everyone he met, and he learned the family history of most of the health care workers he met over the course of his 8 year battle with cancer. His family would like to thank the countless individuals who lightened his load and offered their support. Your work is not easy and it does make a difference.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Kay E. (Stoneburner) Van Reeth whom he married June 20, 1981; his two children Beth Burris of Zanesville and Jeffrey (Lynette) Burris of Marion, OH; his grandchildren Eli & Zane Burris and Alexx Conrad; his twin brother Jack (Marty) Van Reeth of Canal Winchester, his sister Donna Lucas of Cambridge, his cousin Kenneth Bagent of Heath, his Mother-in-law Betty Stoneburner from Cambridge, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sandi and Ron Herman from Cambridge, brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Anne Stoneburner from Hanceville, Alabama; his best friend Don Lucas and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joe is preceded in death by his son Jimmy Van Reeth, his brother Delbert Van Reeth and his sister Velma Salter.
In lieu of flowers the family would ask that your support go to a charitable project his wife created to put children’s books into the homes of elementary children. Checks should be made payable to Guernsey Chapter Order of Eastern Star #211, with the memo ‘1,000 Books’ and sent to Kay Van Reeth at 3736 Leasure Court South, Zanesville, OH 43701.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 20, at 10:30 am in the Salesville Church of Faith, 119 Locust Street, Salesville.
Joe has given the gift of life by donating his body to The Ohio State University Body Donor Program.
www.farusfh.com