Joel Curtis Gruebmeyer, age 70, of Sugarcreek Township (formerly of New Bremen), passed away unexpectedly of natural causes while visiting family in Beavercreek, Ohio.

He was born January 7, 1953, in Sidney, OH, to the late Curtis & Eldora (Gritzmaker) Gruebmeyer. On April 1, 2000, in Gatlinburg, TN, Joel married Debra (Buschur) Gruebmeyer, who survives.

Also surviving are four children, Angela & Scott Rank of Anna; Chelsea & Joe Henderson of Sidney; Jeff & Jessica Rudolf of Beavercreek; and Cory Rudolf of Beavercreek, six grandchildren, Jonathan; Skye; and Matt Rank; Seth and Trenten Henderson; and Josephine Rudolf, three sisters, Judy Fair of Fort Myers, FL; Connie Hamilton of Sidney; and Jane & Dale Peterson of Sidney, mother-in-law Mary Lou Buschur of New Bremen, brothers & sisters-in-law, Mark & Katrina Buschur of Fort Loramie; Kathy & Todd Fleagle of St. Marys; Tim Buschur of New Bremen; and Larry Buschur of Russia, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Donald Fair and Rick Hamilton, and father-in-law Urban Buschur.

Mr. Gruebmeyer was a 1971 graduate of Sidney High School. He also studied Business Administration at Northwood University in Midland, MI. Joel, a talented master craftsman, retired from Solid Surfaces Fabricators Plus in Anna and had also been employed at the Anna Lumber Company, where he began working with his father at age 14. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Sidney, where he had been baptized and confirmed. As a lifetime member of the NRA, Joel was a skilled target shooter, having accomplished Jr. State Champion three years in a row. He was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Reds, Bengals, and Buckeyes, and played church league baseball and coached girls softball for many years. He was also easily entertained by classic episodes of Gunsmoke and M*A*S*H.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Sidney, with Pastor James Oates presiding.

Friends may visit Friday 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie and Saturday from 9:30 until the hour of services at the church.

Memorials may be made to charities of choice.

Private condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.