Obituary of Joel Karsten Robinson

Joel Karsten Robinson of Columbus OH unexpectedly passed from this life, September 18, 2023. He was 50 years old.   

Born to Joan Robinson Ahern and Lucian Robinson on January 14, 1973, he joined brothers Scott and Danny and sister Amy when the family was living in Crawfordsville, IN, where his father was a pastor. They soon moved to Frankfort, KY, where he spent most of his youth, attending Franklin County High School (Class of 1991), where he was a member of the Key Club and the National Honor Society. He then attended Kentucky Wesleyan College on an academic scholarship, where he hosted an evening radio show. His love of music prompted him to take up the guitar, and he was a lifelong fan of classic rock, joining several bands. 

Moving to Columbus in 2010, he started two businesses – Maxwell Pro Painting Plus and Sharon Woods Neighborhood Pro, a landscaping business. He was a member of Delaware Christian Church, and founded Doorway Ministries, an outreach to the homeless.  

His pursuit of this ministry reflects the course of his life in his Columbus years, where he took on a focus of service to others, helping wherever he could. He took up the word “agape” as his theme, lending a hand to anyone he came across who was in need. He embraced Isaiah 40:31, Luke 6:37, Matt. 7:1, and Romans 14:13 as treasured scriptures.  

He is survived by his daughters Chaise Johnson and Alexa Robinson; his parents, Joan Robinson Ahern and Lucian Robinson; siblings Scott Robinson, Amy Robinson, and Danny Robinson; step-mother Kathleen Robinson; step-brothers Brandon and Devin and step-sister Robynn Rambo; nephews Stephen Robinson and Trevor Robinson; and nieces Sandy Robinson, Kayla Carroway, Kristen Anderson, Jessalyn Robinson and Kennadi Robinson; great-nephew Josh Robinson and great-nieces Emilia and Clara Anderson; and his close friends, Jodi Belle and Ted Jenkins. 

He will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Gardens on Oct. 7. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/donate or ACCESS Soup Kitchen and Men’s Shelter at www.accesssoupkitchen.com.