Joseph Alvin Maier,

Age 76, of Dawson Road, Houston, Ohio, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his residence early Friday morning, February 16, 2024.  He was born September 25, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His parents are the late Alvin & Wilhelmina “Billie” (Sommer) Maier.  On October 4, 1969, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Osgood, Joe married Joan (Pleiman) Maier who survives.  Also surviving are five sons: Wesley & Elizabeth Maier of Sidney, R.J. & Jenniffer Maier of Houston, Joseph & Colleen Maier of Walton, KY, Ryan & Gina Maier of Houston and Bruce & Lindsay Maier of Troy; 13 of 14 grandchildren: Nicole Maier, Kara (Alex) Hartings, Dereck, Lauren and Avery Maier, Gus and Jake Maier, Megan, Katie and Olivia Maier, Mason (dec.), Braden, Mallory and Bryce Maier and one great-grandson, Hudson Hartings.  In addition, Joe is survived by several sisters & brothers-in-law: Bernice Pleiman of Versailles, Neal & Mary Jean Pleiman of Osgood, Ralph & Ruth Pleiman of Sidney, Larry & Linda Pleiman of Yorkshire, Carl & Rita Pleiman of Fort Recovery, Mary Lou Overton of Sidney, Monica & Ron Manger of Botkins, Vic & Peg Pleiman of Fort Loramie, Lucy & Tony Budde of Richland, WA, Cyril & Lisa Pleiman of Yorkshire and Thelma & Joe Green of Jackson Center along with numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a step brother, Jerome & Martha Barhorst and brothers & sisters-in-law: Gene & Irene Pleiman and Larry Overton.

Mr. Maier was a 1965 graduate of Fort Loramie High School before going on to study education at the former Piqua branch campus of Miami-Wright State University.  He retired from the Dannon Company in Minster and was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church where he had been an usher and an adult Mass server.  Joe spent over 40 years as a well respected baseball/softball umpire and basketball referee in the surrounding counties.  He was a charter member of the Hardin-Houston Ball Association and had been a 2023 Hardin-Houston School Wall of Honor Inductee.  Joe loved to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events and was an avid supporter of the Houston Wildcats.  Over the years he also enjoyed visiting Eldora Speedway.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Newport with Rev. Andrew Reckers presiding.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery.  Family and friends may call Wednesday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.  Memorials may be made to Wilson Health Hospice or charities of their choice.  Private condolences may be expressed at gehretfuneralhome.com.