Joseph L. Wachter, 85 of Big Beaver Boro, died Sunday September 6, 2009 in Heritage Valley Beaver.

Born July 5, 1924 in Beaver Falls was the son of the late George & Mary ( Tappa) Wachter, he was a U.S. Navy Veteran during WWII serving in the South Pacific,  was a retired electrician  for the former Babcock & Wilcox Tubular Products;  member of St. Philomena’s Parish, and loved to vacation in Hawaii.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, whom he married on June 30, 1951, Shirley M. ( Schofield) Wachter, a son & daughter-in-law Douglas J. & Sandra A. Wachter, North Jackson, OH; a daughter& son-in-law Denice A. & Chris Criswell, Rochester, PA and a daughter Dayna Marie Wachter and Kenneth Berbach, Jr.; Butler, PA.

Nieces & Nephews Donald Wachter, Judith& Jim Draughn, Mary Lou & Don Schlosser, Kimberly & John Waddel, David & Diana Machenstein, and Marian & Frank Engle.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Frank Wachter and a sister Bertha Machenstein.

Friends will be received Tuesday from 4-8 PM in the Hill and Kunselman Funeral Home,  3801-4th Avenue, College Hill, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Where prayer’s will be recited Wednesday at 9:20 AM followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Philomena Catholic Church, with Fr. James Farnan as Celebrant.

Entombment will follow in Sylvania Hills Mausoleum, Rochester, PA.

Members of the Veteran’s Honor Guard will meet at the Cemetery at 11:00 AM to provide full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made if desired to Shriner’s Hospital, Erie Unit, 1645 West 8th St.  Erie, PA 16505.