Joseph Jacob Gschwender III

Joseph Gschwender, III, age 55, of Centerville, died Saturday, April 8, 2023, after a short illness. He graduated from Fairmont High School, Sinclair Community College and Wright State University where he played wheelchair basketball. He was employed at Bank One/Key Bank and Care Source. In 1996 he earned the BANK1ONE Spectrum Award for Excellence in Community Volunteerism presented by Virginia Kettering. He was an active member of Fairhaven Church in Centerville. He volunteered many years with Just For Kids to coach youths with disabilities in wheelchair sports, acting as a mentor and role model. He was president of Miami Valley Adaptive Sports (MVAS), a paralympic sports club providing recreational and competitive sporting opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities, continuing his coaching/mentoring role. He loved sports, and played wheelchair basketball for a community team, Miami Valley Rollers, and later on The Minutemen under MVAS. He also played softball and tennis. He was a fan of many sports, including NASCAR and was recently learning the rules of golf. He loved his pets, always having cats or a dog. He is survived by his daughter, Danielle Gschwender of Vandalia, father Joseph (Terri) Gschwender, Jr., of Clayton, mother Lois Gschwender, of Kettering, sister Beth (Scott) Edsall of Centerville, step-siblings Megan Weber of Athens, Nathan (Kate) Weber of Asheville, NC, niece and nephew, Pixie and Jacob, and step-nephew and -niece Apollo and Zippy. As we celebrated Jesus’ rise from the dead on Easter Sunday, Joe will finally rise from his wheelchair to walk with Him in heaven. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Tobias Funeral Home Far Hills Chapel followed by services officiated by Dave Ringhiser of Fairhaven Church at noon. Interment will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Dayton. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairhaven Church designated to "children with disabilities" in the memo section at the bottom of your check.