Joseph Mark "Trojan Joe" Hish

Joseph Mark “Trojan Joe” Hish, age 95 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Friday, March 15, 2024 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10:30 am at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hartington with military services provided by the Hartington VFW Post 5283 and the Legion Riders. Visitation will be on Tuesday at the church from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Vigil Service at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church. The Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington is in charge of arrangements.

Joe was born on November 27, 1928 in Sioux City, Iowa to Joseph Mark II and Rose Ann (Miller) Hish. He grew up in Hartington and attended Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1946. On June 10, 1946 Joe enlisted in the Army Air Corps and transferred to the United States Air Force in 1947 when it officially became separated from the Army.

Joe served in a number of U.S. Embassies and quite a large number of foreign countries as part of the USAF Intelligence Service. During this time, Joe met a number of dignitaries including having dinner with Generalissimo Ching Kai Shek who was the premiere of the newly formed Peoples Republic of Free China on the island of Taiwan. Joe was an accredited Diplomat to the Court of St. James in London and witnessed the coronation of the young Queen Elizabeth on June 2, 1953. Much of Joe’s time was in clandestine operations for the USAF and for a short period of time he worked with Britain’s famed MI-5 and MI-6 in intelligence exchanges between their personnel and the USAF in Washington. Joe retired from the Air Force after 21 years of active service in May of 1967.

Joe was married to LaVerna A. Horschman on June 2, 1948. During his years in the Air Force they had four sons and a daughter. His wife died in a single car accident in 1974. After his retirement from the Air Force he did corporate work, earning the advancement from a sales manager to a corporate vice president in one year. In 1970 he took a position with the Oxford Group and again earned the position of corporate vice president in one year. Joe lived in Annandale, VA during these years retiring in 1988. He moved to Hartington in 1990 to care for his 90-year-old mother. Joe married Agi Seaton on August 1, 1981 and eventually this marriage was annulled.

Joe is a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic church and an avid supporter of all Cedar Catholic activities.  His love and enthusiasm for his alma mater has been demonstrated at Cedar Catholic sporting events since 1991 when he became known as Trojan Joe. He was seen at home and away games toting his huge red and white Cedar megaphone while wearing his Trojan Joe attire. Even the referees and the opposing teams admired his antics.

Joe is survived by 4 children, Gregory and Anna Hish of Plainfield, IL; Michael Hish of Nashville, IL; Wendy and Glen Bening of Ballwin, MO; Joseph M. IV and Nancy Hish of Nashville, IL; 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 

Joe was preceded in death by his father at age 70 and his mother at the age of 101, wife, LaVerna Hish, a son Steven J. Hish, 3 brothers, Donald J; Delbert M and Gerald F. Hish.