By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHEVIOT - Joseph Nostheide was dedicated to serving his country and his hometown, Cheviot. He flew the American flag every day, and proposed the idea of creating a flag for Cheviot. Now, residents in the west side community can fly a flag for Cheviot, too.

"After September 11, he got other people on the street to start flying a flag. He was very patriotic," said his sister, Helen Nostheide of Cheviot.

Mr. Nostheide, who worked as a national service officer for AMVETS at Cincinnati's Veterans Affairs Hospital, died June 1 at Mercy-Franciscan Hospital Hospice in Western Hills of cancer. The lifelong west-sider was 67.

As clerk of the Cheviot City Council he proposed the idea of a flag for Cheviot. He was so enthusiastic about his community that then-Mayor J. Michael Laumann named him "Cheviot's Ambassador to the World," by proclamation.

Mr. Nostheide was pivotal in reviving the Memorial Day Parade in Cheviot, and served as its grand marshal in 1979.

He also served on the Cheviot Recreation Commission.

Raised in Westwood, Mr. Nostheide graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1955 and then entered the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in California as a radar technician.

Honorably discharged in 1959, he returned to Cincinnati and settled in Bridgetown. He later moved to Cheviot.

He worked for the family neon tubing business, Centralite, and then worked briefly at a vending company.

In 1984, he accepted a position as national service officer for AMVETS.

"Joe really enjoyed his job as a service officer assisting vets to obtain benefits from the government. He once said that he was committed to his position as a service officer because he felt veterans deserved more than they ever got," his sister said.

Mr. Nostheide retired in 1996.

He was past commander and co-founder of the Eagle Vets, and was past president of the Cheviot Eagles. In 2003, he was elected into the Cheviot Eagles Hall of Fame.

He was one of the co-founders of the Eagles "God, Flag, & Country," oratory awards, which has since become a national program.

Mr. Nostheide was also a member of several other organizations including the Elks, Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite and the Cincinnati Police Masonic Lodge.

A songwriter and poet, Mr. Nostheide had four songs copyrighted.

A son Bernard preceded him in death.

Besides his sister, survivors include two sons, William of Mason and Joseph of Northside; and three grandchildren.

Services have been held. The body was cremated.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, 45263.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com