1958
Joseph
2019
Joseph Francis Kurtz
February 20, 1958 — April 5, 2019
Joseph Francis Kurtz, 61, passed away in his home on April 5 th , 2019, surrounded by close
family. A lifelong resident of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, Joe was a devoted husband, dedicated
father and grandfather, and steadfast brother.
Born February 20, 1958, Joe was an accomplished athlete for Weatherly Area High School. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball, and helped lead the Wreckers basketball team to District Championships during the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons. He was named to the Class A All-Tournament team when the Wreckers advanced to the State Tournament in Hershey, and was
named to the PA Big 33 All-State football checklist his senior season. Joe was inducted into the Weatherly High School Hall of Fame in 2004, and as a member of the of the 1975-76 Weatherly Area High School Boys Basketball Team, inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame
in 2018.
After graduating in 1976, Joe spent over thirty years working as a heavy equipment operator for
Pennsy Supply (formerly Slusser Brothers), and most recently Hazleton Site Contractors. He
married Kathleen Englehart in 1979, and has three children. Joe enjoyed coaching his children
through youth sports leagues, hunting with his son and brother, traveling with his wife, and
exploring the outdoors with his grandson. Joe served on the Weatherly Area School Board for
four years, and was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C.C.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathleen; daughters Courtney McGee of Hagerstown, MD, and Meghan Whaley and her husband Ryan of Alexandria, VA; son Cody and his wife Stephanie; grandson Ethan Parker McGee; siblings Michael, Mary, Martin, Patricia, and
their spouses, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldine and Michael Kurtz, as well as beloved dog
Shadow.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation
Services, Inc. of 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 o'clock A.M. on Wednesday April 10, 2019
from Our Lady of Lourdes R.C.C. located at 318 Plane Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. Rev. William Baker to officiate.
Friends may call on Tuesday evening April 9, 2019 at the funeral home from 6 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Donations in Joseph's name may be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105, or
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
5526 West 13400
South #510
Herriman, UT 84096.
Expressions of Sympathy or a fond memory of Joe can be shared at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
family. A lifelong resident of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, Joe was a devoted husband, dedicated
father and grandfather, and steadfast brother.
Born February 20, 1958, Joe was an accomplished athlete for Weatherly Area High School. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball, and helped lead the Wreckers basketball team to District Championships during the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons. He was named to the Class A All-Tournament team when the Wreckers advanced to the State Tournament in Hershey, and was
named to the PA Big 33 All-State football checklist his senior season. Joe was inducted into the Weatherly High School Hall of Fame in 2004, and as a member of the of the 1975-76 Weatherly Area High School Boys Basketball Team, inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame
in 2018.
After graduating in 1976, Joe spent over thirty years working as a heavy equipment operator for
Pennsy Supply (formerly Slusser Brothers), and most recently Hazleton Site Contractors. He
married Kathleen Englehart in 1979, and has three children. Joe enjoyed coaching his children
through youth sports leagues, hunting with his son and brother, traveling with his wife, and
exploring the outdoors with his grandson. Joe served on the Weatherly Area School Board for
four years, and was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C.C.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathleen; daughters Courtney McGee of Hagerstown, MD, and Meghan Whaley and her husband Ryan of Alexandria, VA; son Cody and his wife Stephanie; grandson Ethan Parker McGee; siblings Michael, Mary, Martin, Patricia, and
their spouses, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldine and Michael Kurtz, as well as beloved dog
Shadow.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation
Services, Inc. of 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 o'clock A.M. on Wednesday April 10, 2019
from Our Lady of Lourdes R.C.C. located at 318 Plane Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. Rev. William Baker to officiate.
Friends may call on Tuesday evening April 9, 2019 at the funeral home from 6 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Donations in Joseph's name may be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105, or
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
5526 West 13400
South #510
Herriman, UT 84096.
Expressions of Sympathy or a fond memory of Joe can be shared at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Francis Kurtz, please visit our flower store.
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