Joe Rider Horn Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joe Rider Horn, 82, of Waynesfield, passed away quietly, surrounded by his family at 12:30 a.m., Saturday, 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, Ohio, on August 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., Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the Waynesfield-Goshen High School Football-Track Stadium. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Walnut Hills Cemetery, near New Hampshire. The family will receive family and friends 2-8 p.m., Friday, May 7, at the Waynesfield Chapel of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial contributions may be directed to the One Plus God Ministries at oneplusgod.org or send to 2890 Harding Hwy E., Unit G, Marion, Ohio 43302. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Joe Rider Horn

August 23, 1938 - May 1, 2021