01/02/2018

Obituary for Joseph R.  “Jay” Green

Retired Funeral Director of Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home

A funeral service celebrating the life of Joseph R.  “Jay” Green, age 90, of Harlingen,Texas, formerly of Newark, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, at Criss Wagner Funeral Home with Pastor Don Moshgat as celebrant. Military Honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance at the funeral home on Thursday morning.  Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street in Newark.

Jay passed away peacefully at his home in Harlingen, Texas on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 following an extended illness. He was born in Newell, West Virginia, on October 20, 1927 the son of the late Joseph B. and Ina G. (McCormick) Green. He served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. He attended West Virginia University and Marshall University, prior to graduating from the Cincinnati College of Embalming.

A lifelong Funeral Director and Embalmer, Jay was renowned for his skill at life-like cosmetic work and expert arterial embalming.  Jay was also an outstanding Funeral Director, treating his client families like the friends they became, once they had met and worked with him. He started his career in funeral service with the Clark Funeral Home in Toronto, then worked with Martin Funeral Home and Robinson Funeral Home, prior to arriving in Newark in 1953 as a member of the staff at Criss Brothers Funeral Home, where he would stay for the duration of his career.

Jay was an active member of the community. He was a member of White Chapel United Methodist Church. A life member of Moundbuilders Kiwanis, Jay was a distinguished Lt. Governor and had attended nine International Kiwanis Conventions and was named Kiwanian of the Year on three separate occasions. Jay was a 60-year member of Crusader Lodge F. & A.M., a member of OFDA District #13, a former coach at Mound City Little Leage for 8 years, first commissioner of McGuffey Cub Scout Pack #79, a longtime member of the Board of MRDD and was instrumental in building the LICCO workshop.

Jay enjoyed reading, traveling and wintering in Texas, prior to making it his primary residence.

He is survived by his loving family, wife, Mary (Hess) Green, whom he married in February of 1980; children, Rick (Patty) Green, Randall (Patty) Green, Matt Birtcher, Jodi (Brett) Mueller and Kelli (Doug) Morrow; ten grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William (Hilda) Green; sister, Justine Risinger; daughter-in-law, Patty (Eastman) Green; and great-grandson, Cohan Graham.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to the White Chapel United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Please visit www.CrissWagnerHoskinson.com to share a special memory about Jay or to sign an online guest book.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Jay and his family.