Joseph E. “Joe” Soltis Sr., 84, of Philipsburg died Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Windy Hill Village, PSL, Philipsburg.
He was born Dec. 27, 1932 in Hawk Run, a son of John and Mary (Verost) Soltis, both of whom preceded him in death.
He was a 1951 graduate of the former Morris Township High School. Following high school, he served with the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.
He was first employed with Curtiss-Wright Corp., formerly of Quehanna. He would then be employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 45 years until his retirement in 2004.
He was a member of the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg. He was a life member of the Philipsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars, Louis Jenkins Post 3450, and the Military Order of Cooties, Pup Tent No. 58.
He was married Sept. 3, 1955 in Winchester, Va., to the former Ruth I. Shugarts, who preceded him in death Jan. 27, 2012.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Stonebraker, Mary Howe and Delores Sudik and two brothers, James and John Soltis, in addition to his parents and wife, Ruth.
He is survived by two daughters, Cindy Ann Brubaker and her husband, Stan of York and Karen Soltis of Randallstown, Md., and two sons, Joseph E. Soltis Jr. and his wife, Jackie of Philipsburg and James G. Soltis and his wife, Stacey of Osceola Mills.
He is survived by three sisters, Josephine Soltis and Marcella Hugney and her husband, Marvin, both of Hawk Run, and Annette Yingling and her husband, Bill of Philipsburg and one brother, Edward Soltis and his wife, Barbara of Hawk Run.
He is also survived by five grandchildren, Spencer J. and Joshua D. Brubaker, both of York, James J. Soltis and his wife, Niki of Philipsburg and Ryan J. and Samantha Jo Soltis, both of Osceola Mills; a great-grandson, Keegan T. Soltis of Philipsburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg, with the Rev. John Gibbons as celebrant.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg.
The recitation of the Rosary will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, RD Philipsburg.
Military honors will be accorded by the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. Fourth St., Philipsburg, PA 16866 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.