Stalker

Donald Joe Stalker, 85, of Venango Township passed away early Friday morning at the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler following an illness.

Born in Venango Township on Sept. 11, 1929, he was the son of the late Lee D. and Maude Mae Young Stalker, both of whom passed away in 1984.

Joe was an honorably discharged veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army in Japan.

Discharged with the rank of technician fifth grade, he earned the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal — Japan.

He was a member and past worshipful master of the Parker City-Allegheny Valley Lodge 521 F&AM of Parker and the New Castle Consistory.

Joe was employed in farming all of his life in Venango Township. In addition to farming, he was a well known carpenter working with an uncle in the Pittsburgh area.

He was retired with more than 25 years of service as a heavy construction carpenter with Local Union 2274.

He had also been employed with the Murphy Coal Co. and Mercer Limestone.

Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Mueller, who he married July 9, 1949. They would have celebrated their 66th anniversary this July.

Also surviving are two children, Pam (John) Van Ness of Franklin and Ken (Joyce) Stalker of Eau Claire; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He also is survived by one sister, Luree Kriedler of Indiana state; and five brothers, Jack of Florida, Dale “Duke” of Eau Claire, Merle of Emlenton, Earl of Hilliards and Richard “Dick” of Butler, all Stalkers, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Kerr, and two brothers, Frank and Fred.

STALKER — Friends of Donald Joe Stalker, who died Friday, May 15, 2015, may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, 201 S. Washington St., Eau Claire, where funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Private burial will follow at Eau Claire Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the VNA Inpatient Hospice at 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001 or the Visiting Nurses Association at Hindman Drive, Butler, PA 16001.To view or send condolences or sympathy cards, visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.