Joe R. Bibler, 73 of Fremont, OH passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 17, 1947 in Fostoria, OH to Glenn and Elizabeth (Stotler) Bibler. Joe was a graduate of Findlay High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Findlay. Joe married Paula Remsburg, his high school sweetheart, on October 29, 1966 in Anniston, AL. They spent their first year of marriage in Germany where he was stationed while serving in the US Army. In the years following their return to the US, Joe was able to earn his bachelor’s degree while working full time and providing for five children. He worked at Singer/Eaton Controls as a Production Supervisor for many years and retired from Curwood Inc. in 2014. He delivered the Plain Dealer in Fremont, OH for eighteen years. Joe was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served in leadership roles in Fremont, Findlay and Sandusky. Joe was a dedicated husband and father who was immersed in every aspect of his children’s lives. He spent countless hours volunteering as a coach for various sports, serving as PTO President, and Cub Master. Joe was very involved in the Fremont Community Theatre on and off stage. He loved working with the youth and co-directed many teen productions. Joe was an avid New York Yankee’s fan and enjoyed golfing, singing and going to sporting events. In his retirement he loved spending time with his grandchildren who will always remember his mantra, “There is always room for ice cream.”
Joe is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Paula Bibler, Fremont, OH; children, Courtney (Theodore) Hughes, Clyde, OH, Jennifer (Brant) Smith, Fremont, OH, Ryan (Megan) Bibler, Mason, OH, Bridget Bibler, Fremont, OH, Jared (Maria) Bibler, Vietnam, Brook (Sean) Clements, of Idaho, Emily (Mike) Wilson of Utah, Keri (Cody Lloyd) Bibler, Columbus, OH and Andrew Bibler of Nevada; grandchildren, Dylan, Chase, Chandler and Garrett LeMaitre, Kennedy, Carter, Jackson, Reagan and Quincy Smith, Abby, Jacob and Anna Bibler, Carl and Isaac Spears, Kira Bibler, Euan Bibler, Jalen, Landon, Cache, Presley and Brady Clements, Kaden, Crew and Camry Wilson; a great grandchild, Gabriel Lunsford; siblings, Barbara (Murray) Fitzgerald, St. Mary’s, OH, Ted (Pam) Bibler Fostoria, OH, Tim Bibler, North Baltimore, OH and Mark (Jolene) Bibler, Van Buren, OH.
He is preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Jessica Bibler.
All services will be held private for the family. Joe’s service will be available to view on his obituary page after December 7, 2020 at www.whhfh.com.
Burial will take place at Bishop Cemetery, Arlington, OH.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Joe’s honor to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were entrusted with Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E. State St, Fremont, OH 43420.
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Joyce and Tom Stainbrook
Tom and I were so sad to learn of Joe’s passing. As I conveyed to Brook, we feel as though we lost a distant relative even though we hadn’t seen him in many years. Katie was a constant fixture at Brooks as she was at ours. May God wrap his arms around your whole family and comfort you in your great loss
Sheryl Miller
Condolences to your family. Prayers of comfort at this time.
Francie, Jack, Libby and Ben Thurston
We are just devastated to hear about Joe. We all have such fond memories of our time living next door and visiting later with the entire Bibler family! Joe was a very special person who was kind and so generous with his time.
Know that we are thinking about you all! I hope you can find comfort in your belief in the Heavenly Father!
Bishop Ford Kebker
Joe was a good man and a good friend. I will miss him.
Lucy Wolfe
May God’s peace be with you during this time of grief. Joe was truly a role model. I will remember him with laughter and tears. I have so many wonderful memories of him at FCT and always was thankful for his kind, patient nature.
Daun Diedrich
Paula and Family,
Please know that the Diedrich Family holds you all in our hearts and prayers. We are saddened by your loss, and you have our sympathy. Joe will be missed.
God Bless.
Jill Eller Norris
Paula, so sorry to read of Joe’s passing. You and Joe were our first landlords on Summit St. in Findlay. I think of you guys often and actually pass the house often. You made us feel like part of your family. Prayers for strength during this time.
Chritine Ehlert
Bridget and family, my thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time. No words of comfort are enough for your tremendous loss. May God hold you all in his hands.
Jay and Theresa Hensley
Dear Paula and family,
So sorry for your loss of Joe! He truly was a great man and served everyone with patience and kindness! We are sure you will all miss him so much! May God comfort you all in this this time of loss.
Blessings,
The Hensleys – Jay, Theresa, Erin and Mandy ❤️
Colonel Roger Wise
My sincere condolences to Paula and Joe’s entire family. He was a good friend and fellow veteran.
David C. Frost
My condolences to the family. I remember fondly each Christmas we spent with Joe at Grandma’s house. I remember his hearty laughter and sense of humor at family reunions. Cousins are like friends, you can’t make new old ones. My prayers will be for the siblings and family, that even during this time of sorrow, they will remember the good times and take comfort in them.
Jon Brough
Prayers and thoughts are with your family. Joe was a great person and friend. Have many memories from Croghan School to our baseball fantasy drafts to FCT. He will be greatly missed.
Nancy Sattler
Paula and family,
I am saddened to hear about the death of Joe. He and Rudy worked together at Singer/Eaton and Rudy held him in high regard. My sincere sympathy.
Nancy Sattler
BECKY TAYLOR MCCLINCY
Dear Paula and family,
Our hearts are with you during your time of grief. Joe was such a kind and gentle person to all. Please know our prayers will go forward during the holiday season. We hope you find strength and peace.
Karen & Bill Hoffert
Our sincere condolences to the Bibler family. We worked with Joe at Curwood, and he was always a calm and thoughtful man.
Carol Rehus
Paula and Family,
Ron and I are truly sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I am Joe’s cousin from the Bushong side of the family and always loved Joe. May God bring you peace and strength.
Carol (Bushong) and Ron Rehus
San Antonio, Texas
Sue (Laterza) and Craig Kilstrom
My dear Paula and family, I am so sad to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a dear friend to do many. He touched so many lives. As he did mine, almost 45 years ago. He will remain one of the most kindest, generous men I will ever have known. Heaven gained a special angel to watch over all his Biblers here on Earth. My love to you all.
(And with that…,Suey)
Patricia Kingsborough
To you all, who were a family to Jenine, and Emily to ours. From babysitting my kids, to caring for our rehabilitating family members, and life in between, we have felt the kindness and good will of Joe through his family. He had a special way, a special smile, and a special family. We all pray that you find comfort in you faith and memories.
Deb Love
Dear Paula and family,
You have my deepest sympathy on your loss. Joe was a kind man and will be missed by many.
Shannon Neeley Tass (and Frank)
To Paula and the whole Bibler family:
My heart has been very sad this week when I heard about Joe. He was like a second father to me in Fremont growing up. He made me feel loved unconditionally as only a parent can. I remember that he’d always ask me about my tennis and school and everything else going on in my life and then give me a kiss on the cheek. I always looked forward to Christmas to hear Joe’s rendition of O Holy Night and the annual caroling from the Bibler family. Joe helped cultivate my love of musicals and introduced me to Big River. Later, when I moved to Utah, he would always make a point of calling whenever he was visiting. I’m never able to eat at the Brick Oven without thinking of Joe. All of your family is very dear to me. Please know that I love you and am mourning with you. I hope that Joe and Bruce are playing golf in heaven.
Sue Magnuson Beech
Dear Bibler Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was such a kind-hearted, fun-loving person. I have many happy memories of sleepovers at the Bibler house on Fifth Street that involved lots of laughter, playing the piano, singing, watching movies, and just having a great time. I also remember that getting up early to help with the paper route wasn’t so bad because Joe made everything fun. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Sue Magnuson Beech
Aaron Semer (and Lyndsay Wilhelm)
My deepest sympathies to the Bibler family for your loss, and particularly to my dear, lifelong friend Jared and his family. Joe’s love of music, theatre, and life was always apparent to me, and inspired many. You are all in our thoughts here in Seattle.
Gary arras
My deepest sympathy to the entire Bibler family for your loss. I practically lived at the Bibler house on Washington Ave growing up as a kid. Even as a kid Joe always had a sense of purpose and pretty much lived his life accordingly. I’m so sorry for your loss Paula you were the love of his life. To Barb, Ted and Tim and Mark sorry for your loss of a great older brother. He was a Great man and made us all proud for knowing him. He will be missed by everyone’s life’s he touched.
Charlene Hankinson
Dear Paula and all of the Bibler Family,
We were so saddened to hear of Joe’s passing and extend our deepest sympathy on your loss. Joe was always a wonderful person from the time he was a kid, and we always enjoyed seeing him at the Bushong reunions. May God give you comfort and peace in your grief.
Bruce and Charlene (Bushong) Hankinson
Linda Neeley
We have so many memories of Joe. He was one of our very favorite people and he will be sorely missed. I loved hearing him sing and it was always so fun to be his accompanist. Our family loved being associated with his family because they always made us laugh. Christmas Eve wasn’t complete until Joe and the family came caroling. One year the special song was “Nazi Joe”, composed by Paula and his children after an uncomfortable road trip. Another favorite memory was the trip to Dallas for Ryan and Megan’s wedding where he uttered the words that became legend in our family: “Stevie Wonder could read a map better than you!” Our family is richer because we knew and loved Joe Bibler. May there be a golf course in heaven for you, Joe! May God bless and comfort you our dear friends. We love you guys! Linda, Alison, Shannon, Kristin, Art, and Megan
Kevin and Cathy Adams
My sympathies to the Bibler family for your loss, You will be in my prayers. Joe was a good neighbor we will miss chatting with Joe.
Sue Stotz
Joe will be missed. My favorite memories of him are as the voice for the plant in Little Shop of Horrors. A sweet man playing an alien man eating plant always makes me laugh. I also loved to hear him whistle. His work encouraging the teens to be their best on the stage or sitting in the audience enjoying watching his children and grandchildren are precious too. May all your memories keep you strong and smiling during this hard time.
Gary Arras
So very sorry Paula and your entire family for the loss of Joe. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend to so many people. Deeply saddened of hearing this news.
Kristine Brown
I’m so sorry for your loss, he was as an awesome father and role model for his children. Such a close family and an inspiration to all
Alison Neeley
Dear Biblers,
I was so sad to hear about Joe. I loved him so very much. One of my favorite Joe memories was when I was home from college and had driven our old red car somewhere and couldn’t get it to start. I am not sure where my parents were but I ended up calling Joe and of course he immediately dropped everything to help me. As soon as he arrived he discovered the problem: the car was not in Park. I had been so used to driving a stick shift that I completely forgot how automatics work and somehow managed to pull out the key! I was so embarrassed and remember begging him not to tell anyone. When I saw him at church the next day, he told me not to worry; he had told everyone that there was a “problem with the alignment of my transmission.” Which was just so compassionate, yet also so creative and funny. It exactly epitomizes how remember him.
Much love to you all.
Alison
Karen Ebert
I was very sad to hear of Joes passing. Joe and I were class mates from Lincoln Elementary School thru high school. Our families were neighbors and I’m glad to have had Joe as a friend. Karen (Opperman) Ebert.
Gary Dindal
I wish to offer my condolence to the family of Joe R. Bibler on his recent passing. I remember him from Findlay High School and also graduated in the same year as he did from Findlay High School. Remember him as a good guy and I’m sure he will be missed by family as friends. Rest in peace in Heaven Joe.
John Jenkins
Condolences to the entire Bibler family.
John, Virginia and Emma Jenkins
Bill Fitzgerald
We will miss you, Uncle Joe. Always a friendly smile and a story to tell. Clearly very happy being around family. And how can you not have a smile with some ice cream. A great man, husband and father and grandfather. Enjoy that big ice cream cone in heaven.
Nephew Bill
Kristin Neeley
I’m so very sorry about Joe. He really did enrich my life so much. I know I would be a different person without having had him in my life. He was endlessly kind and funny and just so much fun to be around. I always enjoyed talking to him. I know he’ll be missed by so many people. My thoughts are with all the family.
Tasi Fisher (McGuire)
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort in your many memories of him. I really enjoyed working for him. Your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Dena and Mihai Feraru
The Bibler’s are one of the best humans we know. We only know Mr. Bibler from afar, through a son and daughter in law, but what we know of him is that he was a gracious human, loved his children and grand children and put family at the forefront of what he did. We offer our deepest condolences and pray the family finds peace in all of the wonderful memories they have.
Love and prayers
Ed and Arnett Lindsey
To Paula and family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe about 15 years ago while working at Bemis (Curwood). We both were in our last phase of working and talked a lot about our retirement days since nether of us could remember anything anymore. Joe and me were also golf partners in a senior Monday morning golf league. We had lots of good laughs trying to count all our strokes. Our opponents would help us out with that…… Paula, Joe was good man, glad to have known him.
Nancy Burkin
Paula and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe at Eaton. He was a great boss, always trying to make everyone happy. Most of all I remember how proud he was of his family. He always had a story about one of his children or Paula. What wonderful memories you all share.
Judy rendon
My condolences to Paula and family in your loss of Jim.
Gary and Sue LeMaitre
We were saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. We’ve been blessed to know Joe and his family.
so glad we ran into him and some of his family at Woody’s this summer. Our sympathy goes out to the family.
Michelle Carr
Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Bible Verses for Grief
Bible Quotes That Will Bring Comfort In Times of Grief Or Sadness
Psalm 9:9
Psalm 18:2
Psalm 22:24
Psalm 23
I was heartbroken when I heard of Joe’s passing. I’ve been praying and will continue to pray for his family. He was a great man and church leader. He will be missed.
Psalm 27:4-5
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock
Judy Montgomery
Paula:
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Will always remember the good times in Germany.
Praying for you and your family.