Joseph "Joe" Doenges, of Sugarland, Texas, died Sunday March 28, in Houston, Texas.

Joe was born December 5, 1948 in Celina to the late Louis and Lucille (Huecker) Doenges. He was the third of fifteen children and grew up on the family farm in rural New Bremen. He attended Franklin Elementary in Montezuma and graduated from Celina Senior High School in 1967. He married Sharon Mescher on June 5, 1982 in Maria Stein.

Joe is survived by his wife Sharon of Sugarland, Texas, along with their daughter Gretchen and her husband Mike Misko of San Antonio, Texas. Also surviving are siblings: Sue Wagner of Celina, Andy (Jan) Doenges of New Bremen, Fran (Mick) Hanselman of Toledo, Bill (Ellen) Doenges of Maria Stein, Mark (Terri) Doenges of Wapakoneta, Rita (Ralph) Tobe of Coldwater, Greg (Carol) Doenges of Coldwater, Therese (Bill) Pohlman of Versailles, Ed (Marge) Doenges of New Bremen, Kathy (Rob) Tucker of Woodbridge, VA, Barb Doenges of Durham, NC, Jeff Doenges (Dmitri Nazarenko) of Bethesda, MD, and Amy (Shawn) Brady of Springboro. Also surviving are mother-in-law, Velma Mescher of Coldwater and in-laws: Dale (Roberta) Mescher of Indianapolis, IN, Gary (Sue) Mescher of Danville, Vermont, Judy Mescher, Celina and Glenn (Debbie) Mescher of Lewisburg. Joe is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and a great-great niece.

Proceeding Joe in death are his parents, sister, Nancy Fitzgerald, in-laws: James Wagner, Patrick Fitzgerald, Edith Doenges and father-in-law Bud Mescher.

Joe served in the Navy from 1967-1969. He worked as a tax assessor in various states before he and Sharon settled in Texas in 1984 where he began his work at the Ft. Bend County Appraisal District. He retired from there in 2013. Joe volunteered with food pantries in the Sugarland area, as well as being a poll worker for many elections in Texas.

Joe loved to travel, hike, sail, and explore and then share the stories of his adventures with his family and friends. He treasured listening to music, singing, dancing and laughing with family and friends. Joe's stories, insight, smile, and twinkly blue eyes (perfect for his years of playing Santa) will be missed by all those who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on a date to be determined in both Texas and Ohio.