Joseph F. Finley

POTTSVILLE - Joseph F. Finley, 95, of Pottsville, died Sunday morning at Manor Care Health Services, Pottsville. Born in New Philadelphia on November 8, 1915, he was a son of the late Miles and Agnes Kennedy Finley. He was a 1933 graduate of Blythe Township High School. He served his country in the Army Air Corp as a staff sergeant during World War II, serving in China, Burma and India in the 505 Service Squad, 61st Service Group. He was the oldest living World War II Veteran in Schuylkill County. He was a member of Saint Patrick’s Church. He was a member of the Pottsville Joint Veterans Council and the Catholic War Vets. He was well known in Pottsville, every time he was out in town someone always knew him. After his service, he returned home to his painting and paper hanging business, which he owned and operated. On June 15, 1944 he married LeJune S. Greenwood Finley, who died November 13, 2002. Surviving Joseph are: two daughters, Beth Yarish, Pottsville and Deborah and her husband Harry Lambert, Harrisburg; three grandchildren, Allison Lambert, Kirsten Lambert and Ben Yarish; a brother Leo Finley, Morrisville; a sister, Sister Siena Finley, Sisters of Mercy, Dallas, PA; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Joseph was preceded in death by: two sisters, Anna Mae Hampford and Beatrice Hughes; and two brothers, Daniel Finley and John Finley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Friday at 3 PM from the Church of Saint Patrick, 4th & Mahantongo St., Pottsville. Family and friends may call on Friday from 2 until time of mass at the church. Interment will be Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., 6th & W. Market St., Pottsville is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to either: St. Patrick’s Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or the Catholic War Vets, Railway Park, Pottsville, PA 17901.