Longtime Centerville supporter Joseph Beyerle dies at 88

He was a key part of the Americana Festival and officiated local football games from 1960-1990.
Joe Beyerle, Americana Festival Chairman Emeritus

Joe Beyerle, Americana Festival Chairman Emeritus

A longtime resident who helped to grow the Centerville-Washington Township Americana Festival died Saturday.

Joseph Beyerle, a father, grandfather and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, died on Jan. 5. He was 88.

Beyerle, known as the unofficial “Mayor of Hyde Park Drive,” where he lived for 56 years, was active in his community throughout his life, according to his obituary.

He was named a Community Founder by the Centerville-Washington Foundation in 2009 for his work with the Americana festival, this publication previously reported.

Beyerle was grand marshal of the parade in 1996 and served as chairman of the Americana Board of Directors from 1991 to 2006, this publication previously reported. During that time, the festival grew significantly.

“Joe Beyerle has been the out-front guy,” Karen Borgert, then-president of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, said at the time. “His personality has raised the level of enthusiasm for Americana,”

2003 Americana Festival Committee Picture Front Row L to R:Maureen Russell Hodgson, Patricia Fleissner, Joe Beyerle,,Roy Baver Row Two L to R:Bob Romond, Barbara Soupal, Leann Castillo, Marilyn McLaughlin, Ron Weir, Matthew Turton Row Three L to R:Neil LeSaint, Cheryl Meyer, Dottie Overman, Sandy Baver, Dan Lynch Row Four L to R:Paul Clark, Jim Reppert, Joe Turner, Jeff Wilkie, Dawn Johnson, Robert “Hutch” O’Connor

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He often referred to himself as an “agent of the CIA,” referring to the Centerville Insurance Agency, which he co-founded in 1972.

Beyerle was a charter member of St. Charles Parish in Kettering and was instrumental in founding the school’s Catholic Youth Organization. He, along with another man, also originated the Dayton Area Family Rosary Rally in 2005, which was one of his proudest moments, according to his obituary.

Beyerle was also active in local sports: He officiated high school football games from 1960 to 1990 and was named to the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 1996. He was also a founding board member of the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association in 1973, and coached baseball.

He is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, according to his obituary.

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