Joseph E. Kielman, 55, of Maysville, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2019 at home.

Joe, son of the late Ralph Kielman and Betty Fryman Kielman, was born in Maysville, Kentucky on July 7, 1963. He was one of nine children. He graduated from Mason County High School in 1981.

In addition to his father, his brother, Bobby Kielman, and his sister, Teresa Cortes, preceded Mr. Kielman in death.

Joe was a consummate family man. He loved his wife, Diane Kielman, who he married on April 17, 1987, and they enjoyed traveling together with friends and family in their spare time.. He was a loving and caring father to Matt and Tony Kielman as well has his youngest brother, David Kielman, who was like a son to him.  He loved his daughters-in-law, Jessica and Gwen as if they were his own children. Joe was an amazing grandfather to his three grandchildren, Cameron, Katie and Peyton Kielman. He was fiercely loyal to his mother, siblings, nieces and nephews, and was extremely proud of his family.

Joe enjoyed golfing with his grandson, Cameron, and was so proud of the fact that he was attending the University of Kentucky. Joe had a true love for all UK sports, and was so proud that Cameron would be graduating from UK in 2020.

Joe never missed one of his granddaughter Katie's piano or dance recitals, and loved to take her on weekend adventures and shopping trips with he and her nana. He was also extremely proud of her dedication to working with special needs students at school for the past few years.

Joe was so proud of coaching his youngest granddaughter, Peyton, in a sampling of sports. He became the head coach of the Little Lady Royals in 2016 and was rightly proud of "his girls". He was determined to help them develop fundamental skills they could build on and strived to keep it fun. Joe taught each player to be better person and build themselves as a team. Joe Kielman retired from coaching in October of 2018.

Joe Kielman was also known for his intense esteem of sports in Maysville and the surrounding area. He began coaching the Padres in Knothole in 1983. Joe never preached perfection in skills to his players; effort was key. Additional teams to mention include Greyhounds (baseball), Sting (soccer), Lakers (basketball), and several other Boys Club travel teams. Joe taught his players the Arnold Palmer philosophy, "Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you."

Joe spent many years refereeing/umpiring, and he truly loved it. He was the man you loved on the court or field…or loved to hate, but could not. His infectious smile, laugh, and matter of fact attitude only demonstrated his love of the games, comradery with players, and true dedication to development.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Kielman; mother, Betty Kielman; brothers, Timmy Kielman, Chucky (Linda) Kielman, Johnny Kielman, David (Katie) Kielman of Maysville, Kentucky; sons, Matthew (Jessica) Kielman of Lexington, Kentucky and Tony (Gwen) Kielman of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Cameron, Mary-Kate, and Peyton Kielman, and several nieces and nephews.

"After all the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written, and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser and after all the pomp and fanfare have faded, the enduring thing that is left is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live. They call it coaching but it is teaching. You do not just tell them…you show them the reasons." ~ Vince Lombardi

Joseph E. Kielman, son, brother, husband, father, papaw, coach and friend; was dedicated to make the world a better place.

An open public visitation for Joseph E. Kielman will be held at the Knox and Brothers Funeral Home on Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Funeral services will be held private and at the convenience of his family with private interment at the May's Lick Cemetery. Charles Kielman, Johnny Kielman, Josh Kielman, David Kielman, Charles Pine, Rusty Alspaugh and Tim Bobst will serve as pallbearers. Condolences at knoxbrothersfuneralhome.com