Joseph R. Betz, 73, of Zelienople died Thursday at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Aug. 20, 1934, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Bart and Angela Gillmartin Betz.

Mr. Betz retired as a chemical engineer from MSA Research in Evans City. He enjoyed golf, swimming and especially his family.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marie Rhodes Betz, who he married June 20, 1959; two daughters, Valerie Ketterer and her husband, Dean, of Cranberry Township and AmyJo Fischer and her husband, Steven, of Richmond, Va.; a brother, William Betz of Ellwood City; and four grandsons, Dean and Darien Ketterer and Michael and Nicholas Fischer.

<B>BETZ</B> — Friends of Joseph R. Betz, who died Thursday, July 31, 2008, will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at <B>Boylan Funeral Home, Inc.</B>, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople. Everyone is asked to meet at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 235 Alpha Dr., Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.Online condolences and directions are available at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.