Joseph Robert Boeke

Surrounded closely by three generations of family, Joseph Robert Boeke joined our heavenly Father on February 17, 2024 at the age of 83 in Dayton, Ohio. Joe was born on October 17, 1940, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Linus and Mildred of Casella and Russia, Ohio, the fourth of six children and the only brother to five sisters.

Joe leaves behind a loving family who will cherish his memory and continue his legacy. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann; children, Joe Jr. (Beth), Maribeth Ganzell (Sanford), David (Heather), Jonathan (Ellen); grandchildren, Ben, Rachel & Sarah (Joe), Jolie & Kaia (Maribeth), and Griffin, Ella, & Quinn (David); sisters, Jeanne and Kathleen; in-laws, Kathy Sinkwitz and Jim Sinkwitz. Preceding him in death are sisters, Maryann Middendorp (Andy), Janice O’Malley (George), Rosie, and brother-in-law Joe Sinkwitz (Nadine). He was the loving uncle to 14 nieces and nephews.

Along with his father, siblings, and many other relatives, Joe was a devoted Dayton Flyer, graduating with a BS degree in Mathematics, and serving as a UD basketball team manager. Joe met the love of his life, Ann, in Dayton, Ohio, and they married on February 8, 1964.

Joe and Ann resided in the Old North Dayton neighborhood as active members of the Holy Cross Lithuanian RC church community and are lifetime members of the Knights of Lithuania. During this time, Joe was a mathematics instructor at the University of Dayton and helped with Sinkwitz family businesses.

In 1968, the Boeke family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, becoming very active members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school community, clubs, and organizations. Joe worked at Lear Siegler (later, Smiths Industries) as an aeronautical engineer, developing navigation systems for military applications used to defend the United States of America.

For their next adventure, Joe and Ann moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Joe applied his computer science and engineering experience to commercial sector applications at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. He enjoyed the West, exploring the outdoors, socializing with new friends, rekindling old friendships, and, of course, the plentiful opportunities for golf.

Joe and Ann retired in Cary, North Carolina, and soon found a welcoming community of parishioners and neighbors engaging them in clubs, dinners, game nights, and cruises. A devout Catholic, he was heavily involved in various roles at Mother Theresa Parish and helped lead fundraising for a new church building in Cary.

Joe was a world traveler, handyman, tinkerer, basketball player, avid golfer, bowler, and outdoorsman. His love for the outdoors was shared with his family, from regular weekend hiking excursions to camping trips across the country. A lifelong volunteer, Joe served on the school board, was a Scoutmaster, Science Olympiad mentor, soccer coach, tax preparation volunteer, emergency preparedness coordinator, and an officer for various clubs. He enjoyed gardening and applying his engineering skills to various projects, including building bowling league software, and a one-of-a-kind infrared timer for the Scouts’ Pinewood Derby races.

Joe was a strong, steady, gentle, and jovial man who loved, guided, and provided for his family and friends. Always willing to give a hand, an open ear, and sound advice- he will be dearly missed.

A memorial gathering celebrating Joe’s life will be held for all Friday, March 15, 4:00-8:00 pm at Westbrock Funeral home, 1712 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am at Holy Cross Lithuanian RC Church, 1924 Leo St, Dayton, OH. All are welcome to join the family for interment at Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Ave, Dayton, OH following the Mass.

To honor Joe’s memory, he asked us to make a donation to the organizations that meant so much to him during his lifetime.
● Science Olympiad (of Michigan):
https://bit.ly/donate-sci-olympiad
● Mother Theresa Catholic Church (Cary, NC): https://bit.ly/donate-mother-teresa
● Holy Cross Lithuanian RC Church (Dayton, OH): Mail a check "in memory of Joseph Boeke" to 6161 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights, OH 45424