Joseph Edward Warden

Joseph Edward Warden died Monday at home in Westerville, Ohio surrounded by his family. He was 74. Joe was born on December 8, 1943, in Crocker, Missouri to Jean Warden and wife, Ethel Lofting Warden. One of Joe’s childhood passions was fly-fishing in Big Sky Montana as well as the Lake of the Ozarks. By the time he was 13, he was also a full-fledged amateur radio enthusiast participating in “HAM radio field days” which he partook in well into adulthood. In addition, he also took up trombone in his early years and was invited to perform for President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s inauguration. Joe was a student of life and never met a stranger. He was formally educated at the University of Missouri. Following graduation, Joe began his long career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse where he traveled the world as a Managing General Partner. He was appointed as a member of the Grace Commission, by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. After his early retirement in 1995, Joe pursued a life doting on his loving pets and his many grandchildren. His family fondly remembers how passionate and generous Joe to everyone in his life, but especially in the kitchen where he was always ginning up his next famous recipe. Joe will be remembered as an incredibly kind soul who was loved by many cherished family members and friends. He is survived by his wife of 25 years; Linda Barnaby Warden, of Westerville, Ohio, his children Kristy (Mark) Neff of New Albany, OH, Debbie (Rick) Miller of Charlotte, NC, Jennifer (Darren) Fleishman of New Albany, OH, Benjamin (Susan) Stein of Bexley, Ohio, Joshua Stein of Chicago, IL; his brother, David Warden and Linda Burns of Minneapolis, MN and grandchildren Joseph Mitchell Neff, Cooper, Elliot and Simon Fleishman of New Albany, OH, Maren, Rowan and Griffin Stein of Bexley, Ohio, Jordan Stein of Chicago, IL, and Chelsea, Justin and Blake Miller of Charlotte, NC. Joe is also survived his father, Jean Warden of Holts Summit, MO, uncle Frank (Ann) Warden of Jefferson City, MO, and former spouse, Jane. Joe is preceded in death by mother Ethel Lofting Warden. Memorial service to be held at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 on Thursday, August 16th at 11am by Reverend Ann Palmerton. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Joe’s name for New Directions Career Center, 199 East Rich Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215.