Joseph Emmanuel Hermiz

Joseph Emmanuel Hermiz, age 84, of Columbus, Ohio passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Laurels of Worthington Nursing Home after several months of declining health. Joe was born on April 15th, 1941, in Sayre, Pennsylvania to Rev. Thomas and Violet Hermiz. He is the first of six siblings to pass from this life, survived by older brother Tom, older sister Teresa, younger sisters Ruthie, Mary Esther, and brother John. He is the proud father of son, Joshua of Virginia Beach, VA and daughter, Esther of Portland, OR. He leaves behind his beloved wife of thirty-eight years, Christine.

Joe graduated from Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, NY where he was well-established as a talented athlete and musician but perhaps is most remembered for his unmitigated passion for introducing anyone who would listen to his Savior, Jesus Christ. His love of Biblical studies and his desire to preach the Word of God also led him to attend Circleville Bible College.

A prolific songwriter with well over two hundred compositions to his credit, Joe’s guitar and keyboard playing served him well as he led several bands and vocal groups in NY and Ohio. Growing up in the folk music era, his original songs spanned several genres of music, from protest songs to love ballads, from rock & roll to family songs, from traditional hymns to Catholic Folk Mass, to his favorite, Christian Praise and Worship.

In the mid-late ‘60’s, Joe managed the Cracked Cup Coffee House in downtown Columbus, the first establishment of its kind in Central Ohio. Joe loved to introduce new artists and provide them with opportunities to express their talents. He also enjoyed inviting authors and speakers to address his patrons, especially if they were willing to defend their arguments in robust Q & A feedback sessions.

Anyone who knew Joe well, was well aware of his long “Dark Night of the Soul”; multiple years of ups and downs, struggling with issues of faith and doubt, spiritual, mental, and emotional demons that plagued him incessantly. But he loved to tell the story of a chance one-on-one meeting with his uncle and former missionary, Albert Penn, a moment in time when he believed he was delivered from a life of doubt to one of hope and renewed faith. The last four decades of Joe’s life were marked by being Pastor of Comfort Ministries, teaching the Word, leading worship with his beloved Tina, and being very active in an intercessory prayer ministry.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Darby Grace Brethren Church, 11672 Lafayette Plain City Rd, Plain City, OH with Pastor Dan Hermiz and Dr. Thomas Hermiz officiating. Friends will be received from 12:00 noon until time of service.