Joseph Kish

Joe was born July 23, 1934 in New Salem, PA, the oldest of three children, to Joseph A. and Mary (Vrabel) Kish. He was a 1952 graduate of Uniontown High School and spent three years in the United States Army, stationed at Camp Hanford, Washington. Joe graduated from Salem College with a Bachelors in Education and from Kent State University with a Masters in Secondary Administration. After teaching in North Carolina and Maryland, he began his teaching career at Ashland Middle School in 1964 ~ teaching Social Studies until his retirement in 1991. Joe was a beloved coach of baseball, football and wrestling at the middle school.

Joe was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #1360, the American Legion Post 88 as well as the Ashland City and Ohio State Teachers Association. Joe loved fishing, hunting, and most of all, traveling in the family motor home in which he spent the winter months in Florida. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and also enjoyed Penn State, Virginia Tech and NASCAR. His greatest joy was playing ball with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Barbara (Karlovich) Kish; three daughters, Kris Kish of Ashland, Kari (Jim) Eason of Chesapeake, VA and Julie (Sgt. Greg) Hedrick of Fort Stewart, GA; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Joseph, Heather, Cameron, Chase, Evan and Hunter; two great grandchildren, Annabelle and Caleb; two sisters, Elizabeth Peters of Rochester Hills, MI and Mary Jo Sheridan of Evanston, IL; and a special aunt, Anne and cousin Jane of New Salem, PA. Joe was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Avenue, Ashland. Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2012 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church celebrated by Father Rod Kreidler. Military honors, conducted by the Ashland Veterans Burial Squad will be held following the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions may be made to Sgt. Gregory Hedrick by mailing to 679 Corby Glen Avenue, Chesapeake, VA 23322.