Joseph R. Amato, age 87, of Coldwater, Ohio, died on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater.

He was born August 8, 1933 in Celina to the late Michael A. & Frances A. (Papania) Amato. On November 22, 1956 he married Audrey A. (Froning) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Montezuma and she survives in Coldwater.

Also surviving are two children Lisa Ann (Ronald) Buschur of Irvine, CA and Anthony Michael (Amy) Amato of St. Charles, MO; six grandchildren, Dr. Lynsey (Buschur) Tarrant & Husband Mark, Ryan Buschur and Brittany Bradley, Gina and Alayna Amato; two great-grandchildren, Ava Tarrant and Charlotte Amato Owen; siblings and in-laws, Jerry (Rosemarie) Amato of Celina, Dr. Mike (Claire) Amato of Arizona, Carole Carr of Coldwater and Delores Froning of St. Henry. He is preceded in death by in-laws, Mary (Ralph) Klenke, Charles Froning Jr. and Harold Carr.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater, Coldwater American Legion Post #470 and Sons of Italy. Joe served in the US Army stationed in Panama Canal Zone during the Korean War. Joe graduated from Celina High School and was a retired Co-Owner of Amato Produce in Celina.

The family would like to receive friends but due to COVID-19 concerns a private service will be held at the Hogenkamp Funeral home in Coldwater. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Celina.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.