Threads of Life: The man known as 'Tile Doctor' and an Air Force vet who enjoyed the simple things in life
In remembrance of Joseph Burke and Robert Nash.
You’re reading Threads of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter that remembers and honors our friends and family members who made an impact on Scott County through the ways they lived their lives. Threads of Life is delivered to you courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes. (Want to adjust your subscription settings? Click here.)
Joseph Burke, 66
Oneida
August 19, 1958 – May 14, 2025
Joseph Russell “Jo Jo” Burke, of Oneida, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
LIFE
Born in Cincinnati, Oh. on Aug. 19, 1958, Joseph was the son of George W. Burke and Lola Boyatt. He was raised by Pauline Boyatt-Noland in Oneida. He was known by many in the community as the “Tile Doctor” or the guy with a sign that read “Free Kittens” in front of his residence along Coopertown Road.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by:
Brother: Gilbert.
Sister: Susan.
SURVIVORS
Joseph is survived by:
Sons: Greg (Katie) Burke and Garrett (Sam) Burke.
Granddaughters: Aubrey Burke, Faith Burke and Gracelee Burke.
SERVICES
Joseph was cremated and returned to Cincinnati, Oh.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Robert Nash, 88
Oneida
March 6, 1937 – May 13, 2025
Robert James Nash, of Oneida, passed away peacefully at Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida on Tuesday, May 23, 2025.
LIFE
Born in Worcester, Mass. On March 6, 1937, Bob was the son of Richard F. and Dorothy Beer Nash. He was a hardworking and devoted man who spent much of his career in the U.S. Air Force. A proud veteran, he served honorably for 20 years, and continued his career with Tektronix and Motorola. In his free time, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He had a passion for woodworking, enjoyed traveling abroad, and spent endless hours maintaining his yard and landscaping.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by:
Brother: George S. Nash.
Son: Bryan K. Nash.
SURVIVORS
Bob is survived by:
Wife: Bertha M. Loepker Nash.
Children: Alan R. Nash and wife Laura, Richard F. Nash II and wife Karie, Diane M. Slaven and husband Jerry, and Robert J. Nash and wife Melinda.
Grandchildren: Justin R. Nash and wife Erin, Adam C. Eckstein and wife Kelly, Andrew R. Hoschiet and wife Diane, Courtney M. Larson and husband Scott, Keaton R. Nash and wife Caroline, Colleen M. Nash, and Connor M. Nash.
Great-grandchildren: Samuel J. Eckstein, Addison M. Nash, Savannah L. Nash, Christopher R. Eckstein and Wyatt R. Nash.
SERVICES
Visitation: Wednesday, May 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home in Oneida.
Internment: Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, Tenn.
In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to the Scott County Rescue Squad, 190 One Process Lane, Oneida, TN 37841.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Threads of Life is sponsored by Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home: Proudly serving the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. Visit jonesandsonfh.net.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THREADS OF LIFE
Obituaries are one of the most important sections of any community news publication. They’re more than notifications that a member of the community has passed; they’re life stories, and that’s why we call them Threads of Life. They’re the stories of who the person was and the impact they had on their community. We encourage you to share details about the life your loved one lived, even if it wasn’t part of the original obituary published by the attending funeral home. If there are a few words and details you’d like to share, please do so before Threads of Life is published (each Wednesday) by emailing newsroom@ihoneida.com.
The Independent Herald does not charge to publish obituaries, a policy that dates back to the newspaper’s founding in 1976. Obituaries are edited to match the format you see here, for the sake of readability and uniformity.
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◼️ Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
◼️ Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
◼️ Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
◼️ Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
◼️ Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
◼️ Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)