Joseph H. Rohrl's Obituary
Joseph Harold Rohrl, age 81, of Grafton, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Ames Family Hospice in Westlake. He was born in Wheeling, WV and had lived in Grafton for the past 52 years with his loving wife and three stepchildren. He was a member of the US Marines, 1960-1964, Lance Corporal. This was an important part of his life. He was also a 50-year member of the Ohio Paint Horse Club, Inc., American Paint Horse Association, Pinto Association and Elyria VFW. Joe worked as a machinist for Bendix Westinghouse, Elyria, OH 1964-1973. This is when Bendix moved out of Elyria. Ridgewood Horse Transportation, Medina, OH 1974-1977. CTI, Elyria, OH over the road, home evenings, hauling auto parts into Ford. Retired in 2004. He and his wife owned Rohrl Paint Horses, standing a stud, R Hot Chocolate APHA, breeding, raising foals, showing, and selling, traveling to many award-winning shows throughout the US. Joe enjoyed horses, horses, horses, from grade school, Wheeling Downs, helping veterinarians with leg & foot injuries. He would skip school to work with horses. Several times the Priest would show up, back to school they would go. As a teen he managed the Oglebay park, WV horse complex. He was an Ohio State, Cleveland Browns and Indians fan. He played on the Bendix baseball, golf, and bowling teams. There were many Chronicle publications regarding his high scores. He loved Jack Russel dogs, Tootsie Rohrl was his last one who enjoyed going to the barn with him and she and Roxann traveled with her to most all Paint Horse events with their Paint horses. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Roxann L. Kovach-Rohrl (nee Handrosh); stepchildren Lori Weber (Kovach) of Grafton, Steven Kovach of Grafton, Michael Kovach of Grafton; step-grandson Maxwell (Kristy) Weber; step great grandson Maverick Weber; siblings Robert (Dee) Rohrl of Ft. Mills, SC, Mary Rohrl of Brookpark, Kathleen Rohrl Dunn of VA. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Joseph and Rose Ann Rohrl (Brinkmeyer); sister Joan Rohrl McConahay. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ohio Paint Horse Club Scholarship Program. 6106 Dublin RD., Delaware, OH 43015. Four to five scholarships are awarded each year to Ohio Paint Horse youth, and Cancer Patient Assistance Program www.cancercare.org/financial. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.bognerfamilyfuneralhome.com Joe left to treasure his memory his loving wife Roxann, who was a constant companion, and their beautiful loving family. Joe loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was always smiling, joking and happy-he honestly never met anyone that he did not enjoy, always seeing the good in everyone. He loved to travel, the Alaska traveling trip with the RV for three months stands out. Trail Riding with his Thoroughbred thru Cleveland Metro Parks. Joe, Roxann and their dog, went on a 1-week trail ride starting in Colorado, crossing over the Rockies. A great experience in his life. Also attending the Wyoming Stampede Rodeo three years ago. He loved old time county music. A priest attended and prayed with him every day he was in the hospital. He was so grateful for that. What would he change in his life: His last words in the hospital; eliminating the Cancers growing in his body, the pain, weakness it brings. His words were also: Enjoy life, have fun, all my love to Roxann, family, and friends.
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