Francis Joos

Francis Edward Joos (Bud) (Doc) died at home on March 19, after his third battle with cancer. Born October 5, 1932 in Lancaster, Ohio to Edward Henry and Hilda Josephine (Spires) Joos. He met his future wife, Teresa Melaragno while he was in college. They were married on September 17, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio. During their 62 years together, they enjoyed traveling to many of the 50 states and other countries.

Francis graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster in 1950. He graduated in 1958 with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. He began his private practice in 1958 in Bedford, Kentucky and continued the practice in McComb, Ohio from 1959 – 1976. He also worked for the State of Ohio Meat Inspection Division from 1969 – 1975. In 1975 he accepted an opportunity to join Keystone Food Corporation relocating to Wichita, Kansas; Amarillo, Texas; and Malvern, Pennyslvania. During his career he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Cattle Development Corporation, a division of Keystone Food. He rejoined the State of Ohio Meat Inspection Division in 1988 as a veterinarian administrator and from 1993 until 1996 he acted as interim chief of meat inspection while residing in Pickerington, Ohio. While living in McComb, Doc was a member of the Rotary Club from 1959 – 1976, serving a one- year term of presidency in 1965. He and his family participated in the International Student Exchange program sponsored by Rotary and has enjoyed a long wonderful relationship with his ‘son’ Pierre Gobet from Switzerland. They also hosted Wolfram Gellendin from Germany. He was elected to serve on the town council for 2 terms from 1964-1973.

In Pickerington, Ohio Bud served as First Vice President prior to serving 5 years as President of the Board of Trustees for the Pickerington Senior Center. His Catholic faith was a very important part of his life. Bud was passionate about sharing his beliefs through teaching and ministering to others. He was especially dedicated to spending time in church in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and supporting the Serra Club. Wherever his family lived, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, he devoted time and money supporting his local church building projects. Sir Knight Bud Joos was a 24 year charter member, past Grand Knight (2001-2002) and lecturer of St Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 11187 and charter officer of Pope John Paul II Assembly 2900.Francis enjoyed working in his garden, golfing, reading and watching OSU sports. His annual Fourth of July parties were the highlight of many summers from McComb to Amarillo to Malvern to Pickerington. He was known for his stipple drawings and annual Christmas cards and poems. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Teresa Melaragno; children, Deb Bechstein, Regina (Joe) George, Mark (Jackie) Joos, David (Sylvia) Joos, Michael (Claudia) Joos and Beth (Mark) Drew; grandchildren, Erica (Scott), Lauren (Bob), Alison (Charles), Travis (Rene), Solomon, Teresa (Jon), Natalie, Jason (Mindy), Nathan, Eric (Jordan) and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Mulroy, Margaret Blake, Dorothy Wright, Jean Schmelzer, Ann Kunkler, Phil Joos, Cathy (Don) Emerick; sisters and brother in law, Esther Rogers, Nick (Mary Lou) Melaragno, Mary Ann (Carl) Fielding and Angie (Mike) Welling and numerous nieces and nephews. Francis was proceeded in death by his parents, Edward and Hilda Joos, Mother and father in law, Nick and Mary Melaragno; siblings, Clara Crook, Elizabeth Laube, Tom Joos and Chuck Joos; brothers and sister in law, Tom Crook, Don Mulroy, Jerry Laube, Jack Blake, Wayne Wright, Mark Schmelzer, Tom Hubble, Al Kunkler, Gus Roger and Lucille Joos; sons in law, Bill Bechstein and Darrell Dreasher.

Family and friends may visit 4-8:00pm on Friday, March 23, at the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, 550 Hill Rd. N. Pickerington, OH 43147 with a vigil service beginning at 7:45pm. A funeral mass officiated by Fr. James A. Klima will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, March 24, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Rd N, Pickerington, OH 43147. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Vincent de Paul Society and online to the College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 1958 Scholarship Fund #641288 or by mail to The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Please include the fund number with the memorial.