Joe was born the son of Joseph & Elizabeth Hoffman Disch. He grew up in Iona and attended St. Columba School. Joe enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He was stationed in Washington, DC until he was assigned to ship duty in the Pacific. On February 9, 1948 he and Florence Suedbeck were married at St. Ann's Church in Slayton. Following their marriage they made their home in Sheboygan, WI and Salem, OR where Joe was stationed. In 1958 the family moved to Slayton. Following Joe's retirement from the United States Navy in 1962 he joined the family in Slayton. Following his returned to Slayton Joe worked for the Murray County Highway Department. In 1965 Joe started working for the Hustad-Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton and Fulda and remained there until 1995 when he retired. In November 2010 he and Florence moved to Cannon Falls, MN to be near family. Florence passed away on June 11, 2012. Joe passed away on August 11, 2012 at his home in Cannon Falls at the age of 88. He was a member of St. Ann's Church in Slayton. Joe enjoyed shaking dice with his friends, hunting, and having family and friends gather at his home.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Derinda and David Hall, Dennis and Ann Disch, Joseph Jr. and Julie Disch, and Denise and Paul Thornton, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one sister, Alvina Crowley, and one brother, John Disch and his wife, Mary Ann. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Florence, grandson, Nathan Hall, two brothers, Gordon and Gene Disch, and three sisters, Rita McDonald, Vi Laird, and Armella Kellen.

Funeral services were held from St. Ann's Church in Slayton, MN on August 24, with Fr. James Seitz officiating.