Joseph Rudolph Nossek's Obituary
Joseph Rudolph Nossek, 85, made it home safely on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his residence under the compassionate care of Cleveland Clinic Hospice. Surrounded by his loving and grateful family following a brief illness, Joe’s life was a testament to faith, family, and a lifelong devotion to baseball.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph and Betty (née Stepp) Nossek, Joe grew up with a deep love for sports and community. He graduated from Euclid High School in 1958 and continued his education at Ohio University, where his passion for baseball continued to flourish.
Baseball became Joe’s life’s work. Over an extraordinary 43-year career in Major League Baseball, he served as a player, scout, and coach before retiring in 2004. Among the many highlights of his distinguished career were playing in the 1965 World Series, coaching third base for his hometown Cleveland Indians, and concluding his professional journey with an extended coaching tenure with the Chicago White Sox. Joe was a proud member of the Major League Baseball Players Association and generously shared his knowledge of the game through countless baseball clinics and speaking engagements throughout the years. Joe is enshrined in the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame, and Euclid High Schools Sports Hall of Fame. Joe was named a first-team All American outfielder for Ohio University in 1961.
Beyond the ballfield, Joe was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst. He found joy in playing golf, collecting, and fishing, but nothing brought him greater happiness than time spent with his family. His love of playful competition assured regular family games, full of ribbing, fun, and laughter.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean (née DeMarco) Nossek; his children, Scott (Janet) Nossek of Payson, AZ, Liane Nossek of Severna Park, MD, Lori (Richard) Ozmun of Vermilion, and Todd Nossek of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren, Caity (Justin), Maddie, Tyler, Lauren (Ross), Claire, Emily, Colin, Evan, and Anthony; his great-grandchildren, Lylah, Jackson, Avery, Norah, Leighton, Sienna, Violet, and Ari; and his siblings, Bill (Felicia) Nossek, Mary (Geoff) Nossek, and Bob Nossek. Joe is also survived by a treasured extended family of
sister-in-law Maryann Kordeleski, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Betty Nossek, brother-in-law Ben Kordeleski and his grandsons, Ryan Nossek and Joseph Robinson.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Rev. Father Timothy O’Connor, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amherst.
The family suggests that contributions be made in memory of Joe to Covenant House, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Cleveland Clinic Hospice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at https://www.dovinreberjones.com.
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