Former Sheriff E. Joseph Gilmore passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2018 at his home in Ocala, Florida.

He was born on January 13, 1940 in Mercer County Ohio to the late Laura (Andrews) Gilmore and Raymond Gilmore.

He is survived by his wife Judith Gilmore of Ocala, Florida; his daughter Debra Gilmore (Dale) Bergman of Ocala, Florida; his daughter Stephanie Gilmore of Tampa, Florida; stepdaughter Melissa Hall of Syracuse, New York; stepson Todd Foster of Syracuse, New York; brother Ray Gilmore of Fort Myers, Florida; brother Terry (Millie) Gilmore of St. Marys Ohio; and sister Pamela Hume of Celina, Ohio. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Joseph, Andrew, Dakota, Montana, and Nevada; one step-grandchild Joshua; and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Kainyn, Abigail, and Zekiel. He is also survived by his former wife Connie (King) Gilmore of Ocala, Florida.

He was a 1958 graduate of Celina High School. After graduation, he started his law enforcement career with the Mercer County Sheriff's Department and in 1975, he graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement in Quantico, Virginia.

In 1976 was elected Sheriff and he remained Sheriff until 1991. During that time, he served as the President of the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association and served on a national PONI (Planning of New Institutions) committee. He retired from law enforcement in 1991 and for several years, he worked for Case Leasing.

In 1995, he moved to Ocala, Florida where he enjoyed boating, fishing, NASCAR, and watching his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Eagles.

Per his request, he had a private family viewing.