Joseph Clair Stickel, 82, of Portersville passed away early Saturday morning at the Evergreen Nursing Center.

He was born Dec. 9, 1928, in Portersville, one of eight children of the late Earl C. and Ruth Frew Stickel.

He was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Portersville, where he was a Sunday school superintendent, trustee and elder.

Mr. Stickel served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, serving 18 months in Germany.

For 12 years, he was a machinist in a steel mill. He then worked for many years and retired from Dale McClymond's Trucking in Portersville. For most of his life, he enjoyed farming.

He was honored as a 50-year member in the Harmony Masonic Lodge, and he also belonged to the New Castle Consistory.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Carlton Stickel, who he married April 22, 1949; one son, Brad Stickel of Portersville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, four sisters, one infant daughter and one infant son, Scott.

<B>STICKEL </B>— Visitation for Joseph Clair Stickel, who died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, will be Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Portersville, 1297 Perry Highway, Portersville, with the service to follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dana Opp, his church pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery.Memorial contributions can be made to The Presbyterian Church of Portersville Building Fund, P.O. Box 126, Portersville, PA 16051 or to the Portersville Food Pantry, P.O. Box 102, Portersville, PA 16051.Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home</B>, Prospect. To leave an online tribute, go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.