Joseph J. Romer

Joseph J. “J.J.” Romer, age 88 of St. Henry, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, at The Gardens at St. Henry.

Joe was born October 9, 1937, in St. Henry to the late Stanley & Marie (Lange) Romer. His mother died when Joe was only six months old. His father later married Loretta (Osterfeld) Romer, who became a special mother to Joe. On August 7, 1962, he married Patricia (Hoelscher) Romer. Pat and Joe were married for 50 years until her passing on April 11, 2013.

Surviving family members of the Romer family include Joe’s four daughters, Jill & Brad Forsthoefel of Liberty Township, Patricia Romer of Detroit, MI, Gwen & Brady McElhaney of Keystone, IN, and Leah & Jay DeLuca of McKees Rocks, PA.; 11 grandchildren: Lydia, Nathan & Lydia, Monica, Matthew & Ella, and Andrew Forsthoefel, Joe, Eve, and Gabe McElhaney, and Aidan, Aaron, and Megan DeLuca; as well as in-laws: Joan Romer of Memphis, TN, Theresa Pleiman of Newport, Faye Hoelscher of Winamac, IN, Rosalee & Paul Holdheide of Maria Stein, Margaret & Jim Snider of Jackson Center, Joyce Liette of Versailles, Kathy Hoelscher of Yorkshire, and Linda & Bob Schwegman of Celina.

In addition to his wife and parents, Joe was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Richard Sergi, as well as siblings and in-laws: Flora & Anthony Kohnen, Irene & John Kinkley, Elizabeth Siefred, Daniel Romer, Barbara Romer, Victor Hoelscher, John Hoelscher, Patricia Hoelscher, Richard & Doris Hoelscher, Mildred & Donald Frilling, Elton Pleiman, Julia & Carl Pleiman, Teckla & Lud Hoying, Henry Hoelscher, Mike Liette, and his father and mother-in-law Clemens & Mary Hoelscher.

Joe grew up in St. Henry and graduated from St. Henry High School. After graduating he went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman. Following his father’s passing, Joe and Pat moved their family back to St. Henry, and he helped his step-mother Loretta manage her drug store and soda fountain business. Joe had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned and operated Romer’s Clothing Store and later J.J.’s Cutting Edge barber shop in St. Henry. He loved talking with people and had a great pride for the community of St. Henry. In his later years, Joe enjoyed cooking and golfing and was a member of the Mercer County Elks. He was a member of the St. Henry Catholic Church and the St. Henry Knights of Columbus.

A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Henry Catholic Church in St. Henry. Following the funeral mass, burial with military honors will take place in St. Henry Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday, June 5, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry. Condolences for the family may be expressed in person or online at hogenkampfh.com.