Joe Donald Gilroy

Joe Donald Gilroy, age 76, left this life on October 8, 2023 at 8:18 PM surrounded by his children and brothers and their spouses.

Joe was born in Waynesfield, Ohio on January 3, 1947 to John and Margie Gilroy and is survived by brother Gary (Judy) Gilroy, John (Jean) Gilroy and Fred (Dianne) Gilroy.  Joe married Donna Shepherd (deceased) in 1966 and together they had four children, Kenneth (Donna) Gilroy, Margie (Gary) Miller, Kevin (Rachael) Gilroy and Matthew (Jennifer) Gilroy.  After losing Donna at a young age, Joe was blessed to marry Shelva Sheets (deceased) in 1988, gaining another daughter Kara (Michael) Springer and son Shawn (Amanda) Doty.

Along with his six children and their spouses, Joe is also survived by grandchildren Ryan Murphy, Jacob Miller, Zach (Ashley) Gilroy, Zane Gilroy, Ashley (Ben) Krouskop, Jordan (Hannah Hunt) Murphy, Allison (Carlos) Rodriguez, Zach (Jaycie Welch) Miller, Halie (Derek) Howard, Alexis (Kyle) Marquis, Amanda (Jared Breitigan) Gilroy,  Danielle Miller, Maddison Springer, Teylan Gilroy, Cohl Springer, Malayla Gilroy and Cash Doty; 13 great grandchildren, Makenna and Leah Gilroy, Aedan and Avery Murphy, Rory and Fraeya Krouskop, Auden and Isaac Howard, Mia Rodriguez, Jack Gilroy Marquis, Carter Breitigan, Rowan Mellor and Conor Dunlap and many beloved in-laws.

Joe is preceded in death by brother Larry Gilroy and granddaughters Trinity and Keelin Doty.

Joe graduated from Waynesfield Goshen High School in 1965 and immediately began his career at Warner & Swasey Company.  He began employment with W & S as a lathe operator and held the title Manufacturing Manager when they closed their doors, which lead him to the greatest opportunity of his life - starting his own business.  Joe and Shelva and partners started GoFast Machine Component Manufacturing in 1992.  Joe took great pride in the success of their business and taught his family the motto “Plan your work and work your plan!”  He sold the business and retired in 2012.  A year later he and Shelva and brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Kim Sheets set out on a journey Out West.  Joe continued to share fond memories of this vacation up until his last days.

Joe and Shelva enjoyed watching the grandkids’ sporting events and Professional Bull Riding events as well as fishing and boating at Indian Lake where they spent many Summers.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Wapakoneta with Rev. Pam Spencer officiating.  Burial will follow at Willow Branch Cemetery, Waynesfield.  Family and friends may visit from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed 4 Paws for Ability 207 Dayton Ave., Xenia, OH 45385.