Rev. Joseph G. Tira, 72, of Minden, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023 surrounded by family at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln.

Joseph Gary Tira was born on January 31, 1951 in New Kinsington, PA to Joseph and Marrietta (Ashbaugh) Tira. He grew up in the Vandergrift and Leechburg, PA areas, graduating with the Leechburg High School class of 1968. He furthered his education at Anderson School of Theology in Anderson IN, earning his Master of Arts Religion: Christian Education. He was united in marriage to Kathryn L. Wixom on June 18, 1975 in Alexandria, IN and to this union, three children were born: Jordan, Jason and Jami. The family made their home in the pacific northwest where Joe pastored and cared for many congregations. He served as youth pastor, senior pastor, as well as in many capacities at youth camp, where he filled in every role except camp nurse. The family later moved to Kearney, Longview, WA, and finally to Minden in 2018, when he became the pastor of First Christian Church.

Joe was an ordained minister of the Church of God (Anderson, IN), he enjoyed watching sports on TV, reading, playing music on his guitar, ice cream, Dr. Pepper, and following the Huskers and local sports teams. He also enjoyed hunting deer and elk. He was very handy and could fix just about anything. He jokingly prided himself on being a "jack of all trades, master of theology".

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Kay of Minden; daughter, Jordan and Gary Frank of Grand Island; son, Jason and Desirae' Tira of Minden; and daughter, Jami Tira of Minden; grandchildren, Taylor, Logan, Sohpia, and Lydia Frank of Grand Island; Alexis, Izabella, and Amelia Tira of Minden; and Ethan Tira of Minden; brother, Randy (Carol) Tira of Leechburg, PA; step-sisters, Crystal Goldstein of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Melody McCain of West Leechburg, PA; sisters-in-law, Jeri Priester of Kittanning, PA, Mary (John) Jamieson of Caldwell, ID, and Kimberlee (Thom) Wixom Effinger of Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law, Don (Barbi) Wixom of Nampa, ID; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives, church family, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-parents; brother, Dennis Tira; and several in-laws.

Because Joe's life touched the lives of so many people across the country, logistics make a local celebration of life difficult. The family has chosen to have an online celebration on Joe's Facebook page and a small remembrance of him at 9:30 a.m. on November 19, 2023, during the regular worship service at First Christian Church in Minden. Memorials in Joe's honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Craig Funeral Home in Minden is assisting the family.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .