Askew-Houser Funeral Homes
SZEKERESH - Joseph J., 67, of Mundys Corner, died Nov. 7, 2008, at home, after a 14-month bout with Glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. He was born Nov. 25, 1940, at home in Jackson Township, son of Martin and Elizabeth (Shuagis) Szekeresh. He was preceded in death by sister, Theresa Szekeresh, and brother, Albert "Jim" Szekeresh.
Survivors include his parents of Mundys Corner; wife, the former Simone McKavish, to whom he was married for 41 years; and children, Marlene (Dean) Leech, with grandchildren, Stephanie and Andrew, Mount Lebanon, Pa., and Lynn (Tim) Nixon, Moon Township, Pa. Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Mary Ann (Bill) Smith, Ebensburg; Elizabeth (Ron) Ford, Franklin, Pa.; Martin (Helen) Szekeresh, Payson, Ariz.; Rosemarie (John) Kuhar, Vintondale; Thomas Szekeresh, Mundys Corner; Robert (Isela) Szekeresh, Huntington Beach, Calif.; Margaret (Tim) Kasper, Milesburg, Pa.; Andrew Szekeresh, Mundys Corner; Patricia (John) Kupchella, Strongstown; and Susan (Jerry) Huber, Ebensburg; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Joe was a graduate of Central Cambria High School and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a retired supervisor from Bethlehem Steel and had been employed at the Ebensburg Wal-Mart Lawn & Garden Department. He was a member of St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, Mundys Corner.
Joe had been a runner for 30 years, logging over 25,000 miles. He ran numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon. His ultra marathons included running the annual JFK Memorial 50 Mile and the Bull Run run.
Joe served as president of the Johnstown Toastmaster Club 1231 in 1974 and Area 9 District Governor for Toastmasters in 1977. Member of American Legion Post 619, Nanty Glo. Joe also enjoyed gardening, hunting and tennis. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Joe will be sadly missed.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc., Nanty Glo, where a vigil prayer service will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the Rev. Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus, celebrant.
Entombment at Holy Name Mausoleum. Military ritual by Nanty Glo, Vintondale, and Twin Rocks Veteran's Posts.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, Ill. 60018.
