Joseph J. Stutz Jr.

Joseph J. Stutz Jr. Licensed funeral director more than 61 years Joseph J. Stutz Jr., 84, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Emmanuel Nursing Center in Danville. Born Oct. 28, 1927, in Centralia, he was a son of the late Joseph J. Stutz Sr. and Mae (Shearn) Stutz. Joe was a licensed funeral director for more than 61 years and had continued to work until 2008, when he became ill. He owned and operated the Stutz Funeral Home in Centralia from 1951 to 1986, when the Centralia mine fire forced the closing of the funeral home. He had owned and operated the Joseph J. Stutz Jr. Funeral Home in Mount Carmel from 1971 until his son, Joseph J. Stutz III, purchased the business in 1992. He continued to work with his son at the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home from 1992 to 2008. Joe was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles fan. He also enjoyed his many trips to Atlantic City. Joe was a collector of antique automobiles and spent many hours admiring their craftsmanship. He was married June 7, 1960, in Philadelphia, to the former Mary K. McDonnell, who preceded him in death on Jan. 12, 2000. Joe was a graduate of the Hubert Eicher High School in Centralia and the Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. He was a member of the Church of Our Lady in Mount Carmel; life member of the Anthracite Fire Company; life member of the Mount Carmel Knights of Columbus Council 628, where he was also a member of Fourth Degree; life member of the Mount Carmel Elks Lodge 356; member of the Central Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association; Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Survivors include a son, Joseph J. Stutz III of Den-Mar Gardens, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John “Jack” Stutz, and two sisters: Rosemary Monaghan and Alice Mae Stutz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at the Church of Our Lady, with the Rev. Francis Karwacki as celebrant. Entombment will take place at All Saints Cemetery, Bear Gap. Viewing will be Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 8 to 9:45 a.m. in the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor. Guestbook can be signed at www.stutzfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to the Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, PA 17851.