Karen Louise Joseph

Karen Louise Joseph, 84, passed away at 7:23 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at her home.

Karen was born on August 29, 1940, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Wayne and Catherine (Neill) Schumacher. On June 11, 1961, she married Alan Joseph, who survives in LaFayette.

Karen graduated from LaFayette Jackson High School in 1958, and attended Bowling Green University for 2 years. She worked at Waynes IGA in LaFayette (the family business). She was currently the pianist and organist for St. Paul United Church of Christ in Wapakoneta and has played for several churches over the years. She also accompanied for LaFayette Community Chorus for over 30 years. She played piano at the local Sertoma meetings. Her love of the piano and children led her to teaching piano to numerous students for over 50 years. Karen and Alan were known for her piano selections on Facebook during Covid, when many people anxiously awaited their nightly visits with “Words From Alan” and to see Grady the cat. She loved winning “Best of Show” with their Dahlias, as well as sharing with family and friends. She dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time with them.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (John) Bingham and Jenelle (Jon) Laing, both of LaFayette; four grandchildren: Caleb (Alli) Bingham, Lauren (Kasey) Bonifas, E.J. (Tessa) Laing, and Eliza (Mark) Boggs; five great-grandchildren: Noah, Cara Joy, Evelyn, Hazel Jo, and Bobby; sisters, Martha (Charles) Hefner of LaFayette, and Lynn (John) Fischbeck of Melbourne, FL; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Alan Joseph, and niece, Emily Hefner.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 8 p. on Monday, May 12, 2025, and 10 – 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima, Ohio. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Rev. Todd Cosart will officiate 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation) or Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/donate).

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.