Joseph Kohler

Joe was born on December 16, 1936, to Joe and Catherine Kohler in Paris Arkansas who spent his childhood helping raise his brothers and sisters along with helping his father in his blacksmith shop. He graduated from Subiaco Academy in 1956. After Graduation, Joe and his brother Johnny moved to San Diego California where he worked in an aircraft factory. In 1959, Joe was drafted into the US Army where he served with the 10th Special Forces in Germany as a weapons specialist until he was honorably discharged in 1962.

After his discharge from the military in 1962, He relocated to Beloit Kansas where he worked for Thierolf Grain Company and later for Petterson Construction. In 1972, Joe and his brother Martinus began building a shop that would officially open in 1973 as Kohler's Garage, which served the community for 40 years.

In 1964 Joseph was united in marriage to Marlena Golden in Beloit. Marlena (deceased) and Joe went on to have 3 children. Paul Kohler of Ingleside, Texas, Dennis Kohler of Derby, Kansas, Tim Kohler of Salina Kansas. Joe and Marlena also cherished their surrogate daughter Brandi Goddard of Beloit.

Joe spent most of his life in Beloit, where he was known as a hard worker who had a knack for fabricating, building, and repairing anything. He was active in St John's Catholic church volunteering for the Harvest festival, calling bingo, building the metal hand rails on the front steps of the church, helping maintain the St Johns cemetery and a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also involved in the Beloit community by serving as a city councilman for several years. He proudly served and retired from the Beloit Volunteer Fire Department and was a founding member of the Mitchell County Rescue Squad bringing the Jaws of Life to the county.

In 2018, Joe retired due to his health and spent his time gardening and tinkering in Texas where he lived with his oldest son Paul and Diana Kohler.

Joe was predeceased by his spouse Marlena Kohler, his parents Joe and Catherine Kohler, Brothers Martinus, Johnny, Vincent and Leon, and his sister Violet. He is survived by his Brother Norbert Kohler of Beloit, Sisters Dorothy Spaw of Ceder Rapids Iowa and Mary Lynn Rowley of Poteau Oklahoma, His children Paul and his spouse Diana, Dennis and his spouse Traci and Tim and his spouse Grace, Joe is also survived by his five grandchildren, Cody Kohler and his spouse Aska who live in Honolulu Hawaii, Chalon Kohler of Cotulla Texas, Sierra Kohler of Derby Kansas, Brendan Kohler of Dallas Texas and Arya Kohler of Salina Kansas. Joe is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he enjoyed following their lives through Facebook.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Friday, December 15 at the St. John's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be given to St. John's Schools or the Beloit Fire Department. Visitation & Rosary Service details will be announced.