Joseph Demarte

Joseph DeMarte, 85, died August 11, 2012 in his Spring Township residence.

He was the husband of Joan S. (Riegel) DeMarte whom he married November 27, 1958.

Born October 28, 1926 in Reading, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Sonsini) DeMarte.

He was a 1944 graduate of Reading High School.

Joseph was employed as a butcher for his family's grocery store, DeMarte's Grocery Store, Reading, for over 50 years. He then worked for DeCarlo's Meat Market and lastly for his son's business, Sir Speedy Printing, West Lawn, where he retired from in 2010.

He was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield.

Joseph served in the U.S. Army during World War II under General McArthur. He was discharged as a technical sergeant.

He was a big Philadelphia sports fan.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons: Joseph R., Jr., husband of Diana L. (Lachat) DeMarte of Wyomissing and Jeffrey S. DeMarte, fiance of Melissa Stichter of Sinking Spring.

Other survivors include his brother, Daniel DeMarte of Reading and his sister, Rose Bilak of Bern Township.

There are also five grandchildren surviving: Nicole A., Eric M., Jessica L., Marissa B. and Kyla A. DeMarte.

Joseph was predeceased by a brother, Pat DeMarte and two sisters, Nancy Acker and Catherine DeMarte.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 in the Chapel of Resurrection at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Reading. A viewing will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Entombment will be in the Chapel of Resurrection.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693.

For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.