Obituary of Joseph Fether

FETHER - Joseph John, Jr., 69 of Ebensburg, passed away suddenly February 22, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center. Born September 20, 1943 in Hazelton, son of the late Joseph John, Sr. and Sarah Janeann (Madden) Fether. Survived by beloved wife and high school sweetheart, June Marie Alexis (Fielkovich) Fether; daughter Julie Kirstin Alexis Fether, Oregon; son, James Joseph Kiril (Nancy) Fether, North Carolina; grandchildren: Samantha Lynn, Gabrielle Kristen and Derek Andrew Fether. Great-grandson Christian and several cousins. Joe was a 1961 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and a 1966 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where he attained a B. S. in Mining Engineering. He was hired by Bethlehem Steel Corp. and completed the “Loop Course” and was assigned to the Cambria Division, Bethlehem Mines Corp, where he served 28 years in various positions, including Superintendent of Mine 77 in Mineral Point and Mine 73, Solomon Run. Joe is remembered as a truly competent, caring, and respected supervisor by both union and management personnel. Most recently, he was employed in 1997 as a Codes Enforcement Officer for the City of Johnstown. He was active in the former Ebensburg Jaycees, Junior Achievement, and served several terms as president of the Immergrun Golf Club, Loretto. He was an Eagle Scout, having attained the rank of Vigil, Order of the Arrow. Joe was proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed music, from symphonies to 1940’s Swing and Jazz; he was an avid reader of mysteries and attended his book club in Greensburg. He enjoyed theatre and ethnic arts festivals shared with June during their years together. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM, on Sunday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday at Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, the Rev. Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus, celebrant. Interment at Odd Fellow’s Cemetery, in his beloved home town of Tamaqua. “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”.