Col Joseph L. Nameth, USAF (Ret), 79, of Mears, passed away May 14, 2020, at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility. He was born February 26, 1941, in Reed City, the son of Daniel and Rosemary (Montie) Nameth; he grew up in Grand Rapids.

Joe graduated from Creston High School in 1959 where he excelled in three sports.  He was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan where he played basketball for two years.  Upon graduation, he married and joined the Air Force. He was promoted to Colonel in 1985 and retired in 1993. Joe served in North Dakota, Japan, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, Korea, Washington DC, and Germany.  His two favorite assignments were at the Pentagon as Legislative Liaison between the USAF and Congress, and Commander of the 1141st USAF Support Squadron, in Stuttgart, Germany.

In 2001, he and his wife returned to Michigan and settled in Mears where he enjoyed civic activities with the Pentwater Service Club, Board of Directors of the Andrea Bosse Center, VFW, Oceana Community Foundation, and the Pentwater Yacht Club.  He loved life and every single person he ever met; he only wished he could have met more of them.  Joe never met a stranger.

He is survived by: his wife Rilla; son, Joe and his wife Marianne; daughter, Andrea; two grandchildren, Joe and Michaela; brother, Dan and his wife Marideene; a niece, Tracy Bougoulas and her husband Jim.

He was preceded in death by: his father and mother; son, David; brother, Michael; and nephew, Daniel Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held online at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at www.stgregoryathart.org. Please log on and follow the steps to view the service on YouTube.  Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Oceana Medical Care Facility, 501 E. Main Street, Hart, MI 49420; the Pentwater VFW, 8440 N US31, Pentwater, MI 49449; or the Hart VFW, 802 S State St, Hart, MI 49420.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com