MANSFIELD: It was Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi that came to characterize Joe Baxter. The Philippian letter became a lens by which he looked at life, and the model of his every thought. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith — that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Not satisfied to simply praise a Christ who saved him, to understand Christ, to love Christ; Joe yearned to know HIM. Once he accepted the life of Christ, Joe sought Christ the Life.

To know Joe Baxter was to know a man singularly dedicated to becoming more like Christ as a means to know Christ.

With his earthly missions complete, The Lord called Joe to himself Saturday evening September 5, 2026. He was 91.

Born January 12, 1935 in Red Bank, New Jersey to parents Joseph N. and Norma Ware (Myer) Baxter, Joe had little interest in sports as a youth, as his evenings and weekends were spent operating the family farm. Joe attended military academy from the fifth grade. Remembered as friendly and kind, Joe’s stoicism stemmed from his military school upbringing, full of structure and routines.

After he graduated in 1954 from Houghton Christian Academy in Houghton, New York, he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. While at Moody, he met a young lady: Ruth Huber, who shared his interest in Christian missions.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he got an apprenticeship in New York City as a typesetter, and Joe studied at Lancaster School of the Bible while working day-shift learning printing. He spent five years looking for a literature ministry. While serving with the U.S. Army, God laid on his heart that his life would be spent to “print for the mission field.”

He accepted the call to go to Ecuador in 1963 after learning of their need for a printer and a nurse. He and Ruth had married in 1956, and arrived in Quito late in 1964. Affiliated with HCJB, Joe operated a print ministry publishing the first Auca Bibles to the savage Indians that killed the 5 missionaries several years before, and Ruth served as a nurse in the mission hospital

In addition to his print shop ministry , Joe’s ministry included La Tola Church in downtown Quito, an orphan ministry and a half way house ministry on Quito’s south end, rest home and mental hospital ministries, and Bible studies at English Fellowship Church.

In 1979 he organized a prison ministry in the municipal prison of Quito, that is recognized by the Ecuadorian government as a legitimate ministry, and spread to the infamous national prison: Garcia Moreno Prison in Quito. The mission of the ministry was to equip and train local church leaders to minister to the prisons in their regions.

Ecuador presented Joe with a varied mix of evangelism opportunities. He retired to the United States in 2003.

Settling in Mansfield, Ohio, he became a member of Berean Baptist Church where Joe was active with the Men’s Ministry. Dubbed “Mr. Fix-it”, Joe thrived in the group’s furniture ministry, repurposing appliances and furniture to those in need in the Mansfield area. Joe supported Sunday vesper services at area nursing centers with Ruth, and continued his passion for prison ministry, often seen with the Spanish-speaking population in the Morrow County Prison.

Joe was very appreciative of others’ care towards the last years of his life as he had to depend on others for care and demonstrated sacrificial generosity throughout his lifetime to those in need.

He is survived by daughters Cindy (William) Hill of Mansfield and Melody (Michael) Roberson of Twain Harte, California; grandchildren Caleb (Amanda) Hill of New York City, Colin (Kristen) Hill of Nashville, Tennessee, Cameron (Joy) Hill of Greenville, South Carolina; Jed (Makenna) Roberson of Denver, Colorado, Jesse (Sarah) Roberson of San Diego, California, and Janae Roberson of Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren Felix and Bennett Hill, Leighton and Willow Hill, Maria, Zion, and Catalina Hill, and Levi and Eloisa Roberson; his brother-in-law Dr. Christian Jensen of Denton, Maryland and his children Chris and Wendy and an extended family of brothers and sisters in Christ.

His beloved wife, and partner in ministry, Ruth (Huber) Baxter preceded him to the Lord’s presence on September 10, 2024. His sister Gail Jensen also passed to the Lord’s care before him.

The Baxter family will receive guests Friday, October 2, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, Mansfield, Ohio (Please note the Date). On Saturday, October 3, a public graveside ceremony will be held in Mansfield Memorial Park at 9:30 a.m. where Richland County Veterans Burial Detail will offer military honors. Following the interment, a worship service giving glory to God and honoring the life of Joe Baxter will be held at 11 a.m. in Berean Baptist Church, 2145 Middle Bellville Road. Lead Pastor Dan Krause, brother-in-law Dr. Christian Jenson and grandson Cameron Hill will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mission Fund of Berean Baptist Church (please make checks payable: Berean Baptist Church).

Joe’s family acknowledges Primrose Retirement Center, Cornerstone Caregivers, and Southern Care Hospice for the quality care and support he received.

Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Joe’s family. Share a message about how Joe inspired you, or support his family online at: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Joseph-Baxter?obId=49536750#/obituaryInfo where you may also see his tribute video.

Like the Apostle Paul, Joe was a man of priorities. He practiced that Jesus is more delightful and more desirable than entertainment, work, and comforts, or anything else that is not sinful but so often interferes with our pursuit and love for Jesus. Joe would want you to pursue Christ. What are you throwing away from your life for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus? What needs to be counted as loss? Philippians 3

Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home Lexington Avenue Chapel

Website: SnyderFuneralHomes.com