Allan George Dirr

Allan George Dirr, the strongest man on earth, and also the kindest, left this earth to spend eternity with Jesus Christ on March 23, 2024. Born on November 10, 1935, Al was the son of Anna and Ellsworth Dirr. He grew up in the Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, the fifth of eight children, and attended Elder High School before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served his country as a military policeman. Al married the love of his life, JoAnn “Josie” Dirr in 1960, who cared for him faithfully up until his last moments, and who he adored with all his heart. He retired from UPS in 1990 after twenty-five years of serving customers and local businesses cheerfully and memorably.  Al will be remembered for his weight lifting prowess, bench pressing 450 pounds in his prime. Al was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, and had a  faith that exemplified Hebrews 11:1; few things gave him greater joy than attending mass every day and praying for his family.

Al is survived by his beloved bride Josie and their five children, of whom he was extraordinarily proud – daughters Julie Dirr and Jodi Nieheisel, both of Cincinnati, sons Michael Dirr and Christopher Dirr, both of Cincinnati, and Joseph Dirr of Frankfort, Kentucky - as well as three daughters-in-law, who he never failed to love as his own - Janet Walton (Michael), Emily Dirr (Christopher), and Devonia Dirr (Joseph). Al’s family legacy includes 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews, each of whom has at some point been met by a classic Al Dirr greeting such as “who the hell are you and what do you want?” – always followed by a huge smile and a hug. Al is also survived by brother Jerry Dirr of Lincoln, Nebraska, having been predeceased by siblings Delores Zehler, Margaret Lindhorst, Ellsworth Dirr II, Norbert Dirr, Shirley Kearns, and Josetta Koch.

Al leaves a legacy of tall tales, bad jokes, general shenanigans, love for his dee-ssert, steadfast faith, and boundless love for his family. Wherever Al went there was life and fun. Although he laughed every time he claimed the title “champeeny-weeny of everything,” in all he did, from high diving to dominos, boxing to woodworking, and acting in local plays and musicals, he truly excelled at living life fully. He will be remembered for his love of nature and hiking, his joyful singing (he always stuck to the clean stuff in church), and asking every restaurant server if they had change for a quarter so he could leave a tip. He wrote beautiful poetry to his bride, made friends wherever he went, prayed ceaselessly, and showed us all what a life well lived looks like. Heaven must be a bit more beautiful with Allan Dirr there.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Visitation Church, 3172 South Road, Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at www.dav.org or DAV Ohio Chapter 115, 1500 W. Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231.