Obituary: Kenneth Vincent Joseph

Kenneth Vincent Joseph, 83, of Findlay, Ohio died at 5:05 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020 at The Heritage in Findlay.

He was born April 27, 1936 in Cloquet to Walter and Ruth (Olson) Joseph. He married Diane (Snyder Bell) on July 5, 2008.

Surviving are his wife, Diane; his five children, Julie (Mike) Salentine of Chanhassen, Tom (Carla) Joseph of Marion, Illinois, Jill (Jamal) Ghandour of Eden Prairie, Jennifer (Deb) Joseph of Big Lake, and Jane (Ed) Kozich of Avon, Ohio; and his eight grandchildren, Kyle Wilman,

Angela Salentine, Amanda Salentine, Michael Joseph, Vanessa Joseph, Sami (Ivy) Ghandour, Naji (Erin) Ghandour, and Alexandria Kozich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James (June) Joseph.

Ken was a graduate of Cloquet High School. He earned his bachelor of arts from the University of Minnesota Duluth and his master of arts from Western Michigan University. He taught high school math and computer science for 14 years, first at Park Rapids High School and then at Hibbing High School.

In 1975 Ken moved to Cleveland, Ohio to become a field coordinator for the Ohio Federation of Teachers. He held that position for 32 years, retiring in 2007. In that time he bargained numerous contracts for OFT local teachers’ unions. Ken was a catalyst for expanding the number of OFT locals throughout the state of Ohio. He also taught classes in leadership and negotiations to teachers in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Poland.

His influence in training teachers in leadership and negotiation skills is well known. Ken’s unique approach to collaborating with people and solving problems made him extremely successful and respected by all those who worked with him.

Ken was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Westlake, Ohio. He was a member and past board member of the charity Friends Helping Friends Cleveland West in Fairview Park, Ohio.

Services will be scheduled at a future date.

The Joseph family would like to thank the hospice staff members who cared for and comforted Ken in his last three months. Thanks also to the staff at The Heritage for their generous and loving care. Thanks to Pastor Will Stenke and Pastor Denny Maurer from Trinity Lutheran Church in Findlay for their inspiration and compassion. And thanks to Pastor Robin Craig of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for her thoughtfulness and encouragement.

Memorial contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 28455 Center Ridge Road, Westlake OH 44145; Friends Helping Friends Cleveland West, 21135 Lorain Road, Fairview Park OH 44126; Bridge Home Health and Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay Ohio 45840; or Trinity Lutheran Church, 935 W. Bigelow Avenue, Findlay Ohio 45840.

Arrangements by Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, 205 W. Sandusky St., Findlay OH 45840. Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.coldrencrates.com.