Joseph H. Durnwald

Joseph H. “Joe” Durnwald, age 74 of Fremont, OH, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, surrounded by his family. Joe was born on July 5, 1950, the son of the late Herbert Durnwald and Bernadine (Meyer) Blodgett.

Joe proudly served in the US Army from 1969-1972, deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was a machinist and retired from Bennett Electric in Norwalk. He was a life member of the Fremont VFW. Over the years, Joe was an avid chess player (beating the computer) and Euchre player. He enjoyed shooting pool and bowling. His hobbies were fishing with grandkids on the river or reservoir; gardening (black-eyed susans, cannas, rhubarb, strawberries); and making his own things (sinkers, hydraulic can crusher, fire pit/grill with battery and electric rotisserie). He tinkered on anything that needed repaired and would teach anyone willing to listen and help. He was usually found under the hood of a car, in the backyard grilling on his fire pit/grill or watching Star Trek, Columbo or Walker Texas Ranger. He always had a large cup of chocolate milk with extra Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Joe was devoted to family and friends, dropping everything to give a helping hand. 

Joe is survived by his wife, Ila (Elkins) Durnwald of Fremont; children: Jamie (Chris Reeder) Munoz of Clyde, Jason (Robin) Durnwald of Fremont, Jeremy Durnwald of Fremont, and Amanda Stines of Fremont; step-children: Timmy (Fran) Elkins of Clyde, and Tiffany (Taz) Alexander of Fremont; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters: Marianne (Ronald) Jacobs of Fremont, Janet Singleton of Clyde, and Margaret Diemer of Kalamazoo, MI; and brother, Brian (Melissa) Blodgett of Maryland.

In addition to his parents, Joe is preceded in death by his step-father, Chancey Blodgett, and brother, Edward Durnwald.

Services for Joe will be held privately. A celebration of life will occur in the future.

Memories and condolences may be shared online at foosfuneral.com