Joseph C. Appel

Joseph C. Appel, 80, of Renfrew died peacefully Friday while surrounded by his family at the VNA Hospice in Butler.

Joe was born Nov. 15, 1936, in Jeannette, to Adolph and Helen Lesniak Appel.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Joan, who cared for him with great love during his three-year battle with cancer. Other survivors include his sister, Gail Jane Puntureri of Grove City; his sons, Joe (Emily) of Pittsburgh and John of Butler; his daughter, Jody (Jeff) Smith of Pittsburgh; and his grandchildren, Jarrett and Jayme Smith and Phoebe and Wyatt Appel. He also is survived by three nieces and four nephews and their families, including five great-nieces.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Adolph Jr.

Joe attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania before serving in the U.S. Army. He later graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and was a state trooper at the Butler Barracks for more than 29 years. He was a longtime member of St. Fidelis Catholic Church.

A proud member of the Fraternal Order of the Police’s Brady Paul Lodge 54, the Mars Rod & Gun Club, the Evans City Sportsman’s Club, the National Rifle Association and the American Legion, Joe greatly enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. He was a talented artist and crafter, and he could make a turkey call out of just about anything. Joe also was an avid history buff and enjoyed reading and researching everything to do with the Civil War and World War II.

More than anything, Joe loved his entire family and spending time with them. They will miss him terribly.

The family would like to thank the staff of the VNA Hospice for their compassionate care.

APPEL — The family of Joseph C. Appel, who died Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, will welcome friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.

A ceremony will be conducted by the Fraternal Order of Police at 6 p.m. Tuesday, before the second viewing at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Renfrew. He will be laid to rest at the Butler County Memorial Park.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.