Lerch

Joseph E. Lerch of Saxonburg passed away Thursday at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot.

Joe was born on Aug. 22, 1938, in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late Joseph Lerch Jr. and Alberta Knapp Lerch Miller, and the stepson of the late Henry Miller.

Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deanie Lerch. Also surviving are his three daughters, Lori DeJonge and her husband, Bill, Angie May and her husband, Paul, and Joey Gordon and her husband, Steve; his four grandchildren, Chantelle Winkler and her husband, Chris, Logan DeJonge, and Paul and Carleigh May, and his siblings Linda Miller, David Miller and Marion Hertzog.

Joe retired from a long career with the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad.

He enjoyed working on his family's home, furniture restoration, gardening, tending to his fish pond, being in the outdoors, the ocean, and mostly spending time with family and friends, all of whom brought him great joy and laughter.

Lerch — A private service for the immediate family of Joseph E. Lerch, who passed away Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, will be at the Fox Funeral Home, Saxonburg.In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the St. Luke Lutheran Church and School, 330 Hannahstown Road, Cabot, PA 16023.