Joseph Phillip Brooks II, age 35, born March 21, 1983 in Cleveland, Ohio, from Ashland and formerly of Wellington and Elyria, died October 26, 2018 in a work related accident. He attended Elyria High School, worked at many concrete companies and recently with Mel Yoder's Home Improvement. Joe's passion was racing, having raced several years at Lorain County and Sandusky Speedways. He recently retired from driving and was traveling with the CRS truck series. Whether he was behind the wheel or under the hood, Joe always helped his race buddies, especially Bobby Schramm. Joe enjoyed the outdoors, the Browns, the Cavs, Nascar and spending time with his family. Joe leaves behind his wife, Annie; children, Kenedee, Joseph III, Jake and Hanna (Riley) Knowlton; mother and father, Christen and Gaylord Gunder; sisters, Lauren (Jeremy) Ondick, Meghan (Darrius) Gunder, Erin (Jason) Corns; brothers, Gaylord (Crystal) Gunder II, Christian Gunder; uncles, James (Holly) Brooks, Dan Brooks, Bryan (Jennifer) Bartlebaugh, David Bartlebaugh, James Bartlebaugh, Keith Bartlebaugh, Jerry Snyder Jr., Ronald Snyder; aunts, Georgia Snyder, Dawn Bartlebaugh, Jamie Millet, Cathy (Steve) Perry, Elna (Thomas) Barnett; grandparents, Deloris and Jerry Snyder, many cousins, nieces nephews and multiple friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Brooks Sr.; brother, Jeffrey Brooks; grandparents, James Bartlebaugh Sr.,James and Joyce Brooks, Richard and Crystal Gunder; cousins, Cody Snyder and James C. Brooks III. Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 2-6 at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main Street, Wellington, with a celebration of life beginning at 6pm. Donations can be directed to a GoFundMe account that has been started in Joe's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.