Joseph Francis Obert

P. DEAN HOMER FUNERAL HOME 206 WATER STREET PO BOX 1 DUSHORE, PA 18614 TEL 570 928-8163 FAX 570 928-8116 Email pdh@epix.net Obituary August 6, 2013 Joseph F. Obert, age 94, of Bellefonte, PA formerly of Dushore, PA passed away on Tuesday, August 06, 2013 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College with his loving family at his side, just two days shy of his 95th, birthday. Joe was born in Dushore, August 8, 1918 a son of the late Martin B. & Regina E. Richart Obert. He graduated from St. Basil’s High School, a member of the class of 1937. Joe completed a bookkeeping course at Wyoming Seminary, Wilkes-Barre, PA and began working at Harrington & Co., Dushore and later in their Williamsport branch office and was in charge of the Frozen Food Dept. at their subsidiary Glendale Farms. Joe entered the Army during WWII in May of 1941, and served in the Headquarters Company, 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion which participated in the Battles of Northern Africa and Italy (Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, and Northern Apennines) and was at the battle of the Kazarine Pass in Northern Africa and Anzio in Italy. He was discharged as a T Sgt. in July of 1945. He received the following Medals: Legion of Merit, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European, African, and Middle Eastern Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars and the Italian Valor Cross. Returning home from the War, Joe married the former Geraldine Smith of Dushore on February 3, 1945. Gerry predeceased him on September 8, 1998. Joe resumed his position at Harrington & Co. and was in charge of the Bottle Milk Dept. and supervised both the Ice Cream and Milk Departments. During this time, Joe took milk management courses at Penn State University. Joe continued with successor companies of Dolly Madison and Philadelphia Dairies until the plant closed. In 1970 he and Gerry moved to Bellefonte where began working for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a food inspector. He retired from the department in 1990. Joe was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte and a charter member of Loyalsock American Legion Post #996 in Dushore, PA where he had served as a treasurer. When he lived in Dushore, Joe was also active with the Dushore Fire Company and was an assistant Boy Scout Master and was a member of the Sullivan County Draft Board. Surviving: Three sons: Eric J. (Theresa) Obert Danbury, CT Mark R. (Mary) Obert Bettendorf, IA David M. (Pamela) Obert Monroeton, PA Brother: Bernard “Boo” Obert Dushore, PA Five grandchildren: Timothy J. Obert Laura C. (Ben) McMillin John D. (Laura) Obert Brianna R. (Brian) Kearney Courtney M. Obert Two great-grandchildren: Samuel McMillin Rachel McMillin Several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary E. Meehan on September 26, 2011. A Transferal Service will be held on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 9:30 A.M. and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA with the Rev. Joseph R. Hornick, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Members of Loyalsock Post #996 American Legion are asked to assemble and pass in review at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday evening at the funeral home. The family will provide the flowers and ask that memorial contributions be sent to the Dushore Fire Company, PO Box 1, Dushore, PA 18614 To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Francis Obert, please visit our flower store.