Joseph C. Priestas

Joseph C. Priestas, 87, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Mountainview Specialty Care Center. He was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Latrobe, a son of the late Joseph and Anna Vogas Priestas. He was a retired steelworker for Vanadium. He was a member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, American Legion Post 515, Kingston Veteran's and Sportsmen's, Youngstown Fireman's Club. He enjoyed riding four wheelers, listening to polkas, working in his garden and cutting wood at his brother's farm. He served in the Navy and was one of only 13 survivors of the USS Eagle 56, which was torpedoed and sunk on April 23, 1945. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Emma Mae (Patton) Priestas; a daughter, Jeannine A. Bush, on Oct. 13, 2009; a brother, Paul Priestas; and a sister, Katherine Wellek. He is survived by two daughters, Sandra Krinock, of Latrobe, and JoAnn Klim and her husband, Kenneth, of Derry; two sisters, Annemarie Koski, of Williamsburg, Va., and Maryjane Trumbetta, of Latrobe; a sister-in-law, Frances Priestas; nine grandchildren, Kim, Billy, Ronda, Jamie, Kenny, Gibby, Michelle, Ducky and Jenn; and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650. A Funeral Mass will be held at noon Friday at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church with Father Daniel C. Mahoney officiating. Burial in Unity Cemetery, Latrobe. The combined funeral detail of local American Legion and VFW veterans will provide military honors in the funeral home at 11:15 a.m. Friday. To send online condolences, visit www.frederickfuneralhome.com.