Joseph Baptiste

Joseph L. Baptiste, 95, of Butler passed away Saturday at the VNA Hospice in Butler.

Born on Sept. 3, 1918, in Herman, he was the son of the late McKinley and Mary Margaret (Kuhn) Baptiste.

He was the husband of Janice H. (Johnston) Baptiste. They were married on July 14, 1956.

Joseph worked at Trinity Industries in the fabrication department as a yoder mill operator until his retirement on Jan. 2, 1991. He also worked for Pullman Standard plant until it's closing in 1981.

He was a member of the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for 47 years. He operated the camera in church for the television services for more than 10 years.

Joseph was also an honorary member of St. Paul's Chapter of St. Vincent De Paul Society; the Butler Council 866, Knights of Columbus; a charter member and a life member of the Herman Volunteer Fire Department; a life member of the South Butler Volunteer Fire Department; a 50 year-member of the Woodmen of the World; and volunteer for Butler Meals on Wheels program. He was a member of AARP, and he enjoyed playing cards and was a very avid hunter.

Surviving are his wife; his three sons, James D. Johnston, William R. (Suzanna) Johnston and Andrew P. (Beverly) Baptiste of Columbus, Ohio; his daughter, Ruth Anne Baptiste of Butler; his three granddaughters; his two brothers, George (Martha) Baptiste of Butler and Lawrence (Christine) Baptiste of West Sunbury; and his three sisters, Mary Catherine “Mazie” (William) Curry of Parker, Clare (Leonard) Mitch of Butler and Dorothy (Ronald) Cypher of Jacksonville, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Baptiste; his three brothers, Norman, Wilbert and Robert Baptiste; and his two sisters, Ann Marie Baptiste and Charlotte Smith.

BAPTISTE — The friends of Joseph L. Baptiste, who passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St. in Butler from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Herman.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.