Joseph E. Leah, 71, of Lower Burrell, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at Allegheny Valley Hospital.
He was born Sept. 21, 1935, in New Kensington, a son of the late Joseph R. and Marie (Best) Leah. Joe wasa 29-year veteran of the U.S. Army and retired as a sergeant major in1982. He served in many locations during his military career, including Germany, Italy and Korea, as well as U.S. bases such as, Ft. Sill, Okla., Ft. Knox, Ky., and as a recruiter in Queens, N.Y. He also was known locally for many years as the U.S. Army recruiter in New Kensington.
Joe was a member and former commander of VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell, a member of American Legion Post 868 in Lower Burrell and a member of F&AM Lodge 577 in Leechburg.
He was a graduate of Arnold High School and after retirement from the Army, he earned his master's degree in human resource management from LaRoche College.
He was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Annabelle Uckert.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene; two brothers, Kenneth and David Leah; a son, Joseph S. Leah and wife, Claudia; daughter, Jill A. Leah; his wife from his first marriage, Janet Leah-Landis; three granddaughters, Grace, Natalie and Sophie Leah; stepdaughters, Susan Sabotka and husband, Ted, and Cathy Richard; a stepson, Anthony Bishop and wife, Jeannie; and a stepgranddaughter, Amy Sabotka.
Family and friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the FRANK F. GIGLER FUNERAL HOME, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, where a service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday.
Interment will immediately follow the service at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.
It was a rainy day and just kept getting rainier..
