Joseph August Keblitsch

Joseph August Keblitsch, age 67, of Wyalusing, PA, passed away on February 29, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Joe was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, on December 29, 1948, a son of Wilhelmine Berger Keblitsch and the late August Keblitsch. He graduated from Rochester High School (Rochester, PA) a member of the class of 1966. He attended Duquesne University, where he received his undergraduate degree in Music Education, followed by a master’s degree in music from Duquesne University and an MBA from Clarion University. Joe also served honorably in the US Army for two years. Joe was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and was a friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Deborah; a daughter, Dana (Jason) Gladstone, Fairfield, CT; two sons, Justin, Wyalusing, PA, and Tristan, Los Angeles, CA; mother, Wilhelmine, Rochester, PA; two sisters, Mary Ann (Rick) Glass, Baltimore, MD, and Mina Justis, Bel Air, MD; three grandchildren; Thomas and Jonathan Gladstone, and Shane Keblitsch; along with several nieces and nephews in the Baltimore area. In 1987, Joe and his family relocated to Wyalusing, where he began his career as the Business Manager for the Wyalusing Area School District. He retired in January 2011, after 25 years of dedicated service. During that time he served on the Wyalusing Education Foundation and the Association of Pennsylvania School Business Managers. Earlier in his career he was a music teacher for the Tionesta, PA school district. Joe was a member of St. Mary Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing, PA. He served for a number of years as the church choir director for St. Mary’s, and previously as choir director at St. Joseph’s Parish, Oil City, PA. He was a member of the Wyalusing Lions Club for 25 years, as well as the ASRA Ski Race Association for 20 years. He was a highly accomplished classical pianist and composer, and had a great love for skiing, ski racing, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, and riding his motorcycle. He was deeply passionate about nature and believed in living life to the fullest. A Transferal Service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at 9:30 A.M. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, PA and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church, Wyalusing, PA with the Rev. Joseph J. Manarchuck, his Pastor, presiding. Interment will be in the Wyalusing Cemetery, Wyalusing, PA. Friends may pay their respects on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ministry of Mercy, 245 State Street, Wyalusing, PA 18853. 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 August Keblitsch, please visit our flower store.