Joseph H. Powers

Joseph H. Powers passed away on August 23, 2023. He was 87 years old. Joe was born May 13, 1936 to Doris Vaughan in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and his birth name was Albert Vaughan (he later found out that his birth father was Albert Silveira). He lived with his aunt before being adopted by Francis and Dorothy Powers Masselink at the age of 22 months. Joe spent his early years living in Massachusetts but was then formally adopted by Horace and Mable Powers who lived in Michigan. Horace was a lawyer and judge, and Mable was a registered nurse. This is when Joe began his love for Michigan Wolverines football. Joe grew up in Nashville, Michigan and had a sister. Martha (Powers) Schimmelpfenneg survives and lives in Battle Creek, Michigan. Joe also found out later in life (around the age of 45) that he shared an older brother with Doris Vaughn. That brother’s name was Joe Vaughan, and he passed away in June 2023. He also found out more recently that he shared a sister with his birth father. Her name is Joanne Ferguson. Joanne grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts and now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia. Joe was able to meet both of his half siblings and maintained a long-distance relationship with them on Facebook. Joe was a proud 1953 graduate of Nashville - W.K. Kellogg High School in Nashville, Michigan. He loved to share stories of his high school athletic career. He was a varsity letter winner in basketball, football, baseball and track. Joe briefly attended the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and served for two years in the US Army before making his move to Bucyrus, Ohio.

Joe moved to Bucyrus to accept a job with the Telegraph-Forum. He was the sports editor for the newspaper from 1961-1966. This is about the time he met a beautiful girl, Linda Rossman, at Millers Drive-In in Bucyrus. Joe and Linda were married on February 4, 1967 and lived a long life together loving, supporting and cheering on their children and grandchildren. Joe said that marrying Linda was the best thing that he ever did. Joe held various jobs (sports editor, harness horse trainer, and then circulation manager for the Telegraph-Forum), but his life changed when he entered the Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Education in 1977. After graduation, Joe accepted a teaching and coaching position with Wynford Local Schools and worked in the school system until retirement. Joe was proud of the positive relationships he built with students and colleagues, and he was an avid supporter of Wynford Royal athletics. Joe enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading classic literature, studying history, and taking on all challengers when it came to trivia.

Joe resided in Bucyrus his entire adult life and was able to live at home until a critical health event led to a trip to the emergency room. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda who passed away on December 31, 2021. Joe is survived by three sons, Brad (Julie), Joey (Patty), and Mark (Tina); ten grandchildren: Nicole (Brandon) Teets, Michael (Emilee) Powers, Kaylee Powers, Ross Powers, Alyssa (Jerad) Butler, Shiloh Powers, Brett Powers, Jakob Powers, Luke Powers, and Braydon Powers; and six great grandchildren: Noah Teets, Isabella Teets, Jeremy Butler, Brady Powers, Justin Butler, and Bodie Teets.

As per Joe’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral. However, family and friends will gather at a later time to share stories and celebrate his life. If friends would like to give a gift in Joe’s memory, please consider donations to the Bucyrus Public Library (Joe loved going to the library to feed his love of reading) and/or the Wynford Athletic Department (Joe coached varsity boys golf for a number of years and his grandson, Michael, is the current coach. And Joe loved his seat in the north end zone of the Wynford football field where he would go to support his Royals on Friday nights). These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.