Joseph Howard Brooks

Joseph Howard Brooks. 85, died peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2013, surrounded by his family and loving staff at Venetian Gardens in Loveland, OH. Joe was born in his family home in Jewitt, OH on January 14, 1928, to Ferdinand and Lena Brooks. After graduating from Carrollton High School, he attended the Ohio State University. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity receiving his Agricultural Engineering degree in 1951. Thereafter he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean war using his knowledge and expertise in farming. He met and married his wife of 56 years, Nancy Crane, in Lancaster, OH. Joe and Nancy worked and raised two daughters in Lancaster, Circleville, Arcanum and Bellefontaine, OH. Over his life, he was employed in a variety of agricultural management positions, and founded his own business, �Grass Roots�. Joe took the time to teach, coach and mentor others and never met a stranger. Joe, or �OMB� (Old Man Brooks), as he preferred to be called, was a hard working, generous, humble, kind, thankful and humorous man. Joe loved his church, work outdoors, nature, music, dancing, reading, a good joke, and thoughtful conversation. He possessed a unique talent for making others feel special, whether they were an old friend or a new acquaintance. Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy; two daughters, Julie (Kurt) Augsburger, of Mariemont, OH, and Sally (Dan) Brooks Krage of Milford, OH; six granddaughters, Katie, Suzie and Hannah Augsburger and Gwen, Tess and Lydia Krage. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Miriam Manfull and brother, Gilbert Brooks. A celebration of Joe�s life will be held at Craver-Riggs Funeral Home and Crematory on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 at 1:00 pm located at 529 Main St, Milford OH 45150. In lieu of flowers the family prefers that Memorials be directed to the Clermont County Senior Services (http://www.clermontseniors.com/donate.html) or Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alzheimer�s Association (http://www.alz.org/cincinnati/in_my_community_donate.asp).