Joseph F. Ertl

Joe was born on September 13, 1940 in Altoona, PA to John H. and Viola E. Ertl. He grew up in Erie, PA and loved fishing on Lake Erie with his father and playing baseball, which was a passion of his. He starred on one of the first Little League teams established in Erie and would recall how he got to meet some of the stars of the then World Champion Cleveland Indians at a baseball camp. He attended Erie Cathedral Preparatory High School where he was an outstanding student and steady receiver of honors.

He served for three years in the United States Army and was stationed in Frankfurt Germany and Oakland, CA. While stationed in Frankfurt he met a young German woman who would be the love of his life, Heidi. There they were married and began their joyous journey of 64 years together.

After his military service he attended what was then known as Gannon College in Erie, PA where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance. Upon graduating in 1966 he started his lifelong career with PPG Industries where he was employed for 35 years. While at PPG he held the position of finance director and at one point was in charge of their Wulfing Division in Wuppertal Germany. While living in the city of Duesseldorf, Germany he and his family were able to travel extensively throughout Europe and took a once in a lifetime trip to Kenya to go on a safari.

Joe was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing cards with his buddies and growing tomatoes in his garden. He doted on his three grandchildren and was always in attendance at their school activities, swim meets, baseball games and soccer matches.

Upon retiring he enjoyed taking vacation trips to the Carolinas and Deep Creek Maryland with family members. He and Heidi volunteered with Meals on Wheels taking meals to people who were elderly and disadvantaged and at Animal Friends rescue shelter. Joe was a longtime member of St. Ursula Parrish in Allison Park, PA where he served on the church finance committee for many years and volunteered with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

He is survived by his wife Heidi as well as his children Michael Ertl, Susan (Eric) Adamczyk, Albert J. (Claire) Ertl, his grandchildren Julia, Jacob, and Audrey, his nephew Phillip, his niece Edith and the family dog Ariel. He was preceded in death by his sister Beatrice.

Friends will be received at H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, 1032 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237, on Monday October 12, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and again on October 12, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St.Ursula Catholic Church, 3945 Kirk Avenue, Allison Park, PA 15101, on Tuesday October 13, 2026, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105 or at stjude.org