Joseph W. “Joe” Warnecke

OTTAWA - Joseph W. “Joe” Warnecke, 72 of Ottawa, died Saturday, February 14, 2026, at his residence. He was born February 22, 1953, in Lima to the late Aloysius G. and Anna Marie (Schroeder) Warnecke.

Joe is survived by three children: Luke (Rachel) Warnecke of Kalida, Stacey (Chad) Smith of Kalida and Brandy (Eric) Murphy of Oregon; 6 grandchildren: Landon, Levi, and Lydia Warnecke, Harper and Bryant Smith and Sawyer Murphy; 10 siblings: Paul (Cathy) Warnecke, Ken (Shari) Warnecke, Mark (Ann) Warnecke and Dave (Brenda) Warnecke all of Kalida, John (Barbara) Warnecke, Helen (Leon) Meyer and Donna (Rick) Rosengarten all of Glandorf, Julianna (James) Landin of Ottoville, Virginia (Jack) Gajewski of Delmar, NY and Karen (Mark) Nienberg of Ottawa.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Richard Warnimont.

Joe retired from Croy’s Mowing, Ottawa and had formerly worked for Nienberg’s Body Shop. He loved to hunt and fish and was a member of the Glandorf Rod & Gun and the Leipsic Fishing and Hunting. He was also a member of the Ottawa Eagles. While his children were growing up he was a Cub Scout leader and coached youth soccer. Joe was an avid sports fan and enjoyed cheering on the Cleveland Browns and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

There will be a memorial service at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. Burial will be at a later date. The visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com.