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Joseph G. “Joe” Kirch
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 24, 2020
Joseph G. “Joe” Kirch age 86, of West Mifflin, passed away on August 23, 2020, at home. Born in Redstone Twp. on July 15, 1934, he was the son of the late Steve & Mary (Tekely) Krch.
Joe was a kind, thoughtful, smart, successful man who rose from humble roots to build a wonderful life for himself and his family. He was a devout Christian and beloved by many friends, family members, fellow parishioners at Holy Trinity Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, fellow Elks, work colleagues and customers, and those lucky enough to be on his team at the SS Peter & Paul bowling league. Joe was an accomplished bowler, honing his craft and bowling an 808 series with two 300 games at the age of 74.
He served his community as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver in his younger years and served our country when he was called upon to join the US Army in Japan to wind down operations after the Korean War.
In the Army, he refined his heavy machinery skills, which he then translated into his civilian career at Beckwith Machinery. During his 21 years there, he rose to the level of Service Manager — one clients often asked for by name. He later identified a great opportunity to build his own business in mining, in which he was successful.
During retirement he set out on cross-country RV adventures and plane trips with family, excited to see a wide swath of this country he loved. At home, he kept up a steady calendar of golf and visits with friends and served the Lincoln Place Elks for two back-to-back years as a popular Exalted Ruler.
Despite all his hard work, adventures, penchant for golf and bowling, and his generous tendency to donate his time and skills to good causes, he always had time for his family.
He doted on Cecelia “Tillie” (Gmutza) Kirch, his beloved wife of 66 years; children Terry of Huntingdon Beach, CA., Dianne (Douglas) Baxter of Bethel Park and late Joelle Kirch (husband Robert survives) Preksta of Jefferson Hills; granddaughters Brittani Baxter (Dale Taylor), Kelsi (Nate Ward) Baxter, Courtney (BJ) Yot; great grandchildren Will & Jamie Yot; brothers & sisters Kay Slagle of Richeyville, Helen (Leonard) Karpel of New Salem, Margaret Spishock of New Salem, Edward (Grace) Krch of Conneaut, OH; deceased brothers and sisters John, Steve, and Paul Krch, Mildred King and Mary Kveder; and extended family including nieces and nephews. He and Tillie were their granddaughters’ favorite babysitters, spoiling them rotten with love, meals, and adventures big and small.
Joe was incredibly dependable. He set an example of taking pride in his work, doing the job right, and not being satisfied until the job was done. He made this world a decidedly better place for 86 years before the Lord called him home with a “job well done.” His positive presence and kind spirit will be sorely, sorely missed, but we know he lives on through the legacy and good deeds of his family and friends, and the work ethic he instilled in his children and grandchildren. A lifetime of positive memories live in the hearts of those lucky enough to know and love him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the MALOY-SCHLEIFER FUNERAL HOME, 915 KENNEDY AVE., DUQUESNE, 15110, 412-466-3300, where a blessing service will be held at 11:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon in Holy Trinity Church, West Mifflin, with the Rev. Nick Mastrangelo officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery with Military Honors. The funeral mass will be live-streamed on the funeral home website: www.maloy-schleiferfuneralhome.com Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation will be limited to 25 people in the funeral home at one time and masks must be worn.
Originally published August 24, 2020.
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