Joseph Hegedus

Joseph Hegedus, 76, of Allentown, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 4, 2007.

He was born in Bethlehem, the son of the late Mary Mesaros and Joseph Hegedus, Sr.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Mihalek Hegedus in 2000.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army earning three purple hearts during the Korean War.

Joseph retired from the Bethlehem Steel Co. after 42 years of service. He also had his own business of minerals, gems and jewelry at Zerns in Gilbertsville.

He was a member of Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, Emmaus.

Joseph was an avid mineral collector and was a member of the PA Earth Science Assoc.

He was also an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and gardener. In his earlier years, Joseph loved racing pigeons and received several awards for having the fastest birds in the area.

He will be lovingly remembered by his family, sons, Joseph husband of Teresa of Bethlehem; Stephen A. husband of Barbara of Whitehall and James L. husband of Amy of Allentown; daughters, Susan wife of Girard Mast of Fountain Hill and Elizabeth Attinello of Bethlehem Twp. and brothers, Bill of Catasauqua and Louis of Fountain Valley, CA.

Joseph is also survived by his grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Alex, Carolyn, Jonathan, Jennifer, Mary, Joseph, Philip, Christopher and Deana as well as his great grand daughters, Karley and Lorelei.

He was predeceased by his brothers Stephen and John.

SERVICES

A visitation will be held at Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem on Friday December 7, 2007 from 6-9PM and again on Saturday December 8, 2007 from 9-11AM with a service to celebrate Joseph's life to follow at 11AM in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, 4702 Colebrook Avenue Emmaus, PA 18049