Joseph W. Kissell, 85, of Butler died Thursday morning at Sunnyview Home.

Born Jan. 8, 1922, in Belle Vernon, he was the son of Joseph and Mary Dudgeon Kissell.

Mr. Kissell attended the Community Alliance Church.

He was a school principal for the McKeesport School District, retiring in 1986. He was a life member of the National Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Nyack College in New York and his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

A veteran of the Army, he served in World War II.

Mr. Kissell is survived by his wife, Grace E. Miller Kissell, whom he married Nov. 24, 1962; a son, Joseph W. Kissell and his wife, Morgen of Paris, France; a daughter, Darlene Dickey of St. Marys; and four grandchildren, Benaiah, Emily, Zachery and Nathan.

Also surviving are a brother, William and his wife, Clarabelle, Kissell of Monaca; two sisters, Gail Kissell of McKeesport and Patricia Kissell of Nampa, Idaho; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kissell was preceded in death by an infant sister.

<B>KISSELL </B>— Friends of Joseph W. Kissell, who died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, will be received from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. David Volstad, associate pastor of Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh, and the Rev. Dennis Krajacic, pastor of Community Alliance Church in Butler. Burial will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery in Belle Vernon.Memorial contributions may be made to Community Alliance Church Building Fund, 800 Mercer Road, Butler, PA 16001.