Joseph M. Koren

Joseph “Joe” Michael Koren Jr., age 75, passed away at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus after a brief illness on September 20, 2025.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, on July 3, 1950, Joe grew up in Girard, Ohio. He graduated from Girard High School in 1968 and went on to earn an Electrical Technician’s degree from ATES Technical School, followed by an Electrical Engineering degree from Youngstown State University. After marrying Nancy on October 1, 1977, the couple settled in Hubbard, Ohio, where they raised their family and hosted epic parties for their many friends and loved ones. Joe and Nancy’s parties were known for great food from Joe’s grill, tomatoes from his garden, and lots of laughter, all set to the loud beat of rock and roll. For 38 years, Joe worked as a sales engineer for Ajax Tocco Magnethermic, retiring in 2017.

After retirement, Joe and Nancy moved to Powell, Ohio, to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. In Powell, Joe became a beloved member of his new community, volunteering on his HOA board, helping organize social events, and generously sharing his handyman skills with neighbors.

Joe greeted everyone with a warm smile, a twinkle in his eye, and, if you were lucky, one of his legendary bear hugs. He loved skiing, traveling, golfing, and laughing long and loud. Generous with his time, heart, and spirit, Joe will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. May everyone whose life he touched carry a piece of his joy and kindness in their hearts. In a final act of Joe’s compassion and care for others, his corneas were donated to the Eye Bank—allowing a grateful recipient to see the world through his eyes and carry forward his legacy of kindness.

He is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife of nearly 48 years, Nancy Elizabeth (née Rostan) Koren, his children, Michael (Kate) Koren and Michelle (David) Long, and his two cherished granddaughters, Stella and Elena Koren. He is also survived by his brother, Kenneth (Rhonda) Koren, sisters-in-law, Mary Margret Rostan, Annette Rostan, and Angelita Rostan, brothers-in-law, Frank (Suzanne) Rostan, William (Candice) Rostan, Robert (Nancy) Rostan, and Richard (Jodi) Rostan, along with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Michael Koren Sr. and Josephine Etherington Koren, his sister, Dolores; his father- and mother-in-law, Frank and Kathryn Rostan, and his brothers-in-law, Thomas Rostan and Donald Rostan.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Rose Church in Girard, Ohio, followed immediately by a Mass at 11:30 a.m. Joe will then be laid to rest at Girard Liberty Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association:

PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116,

or you can donate online at: https://diy-diabetes.donordrive.com/campaigns/Joseph-Michael-Koren--Jr

Fittingly, the service will take place on what would have been Joe and Nancy’s 48th wedding anniversary, a day that now honors both their love and his life.