Joseph Lawler Jr., 87, formerly of Bethlehem and Spring Hill, Fla., died Dec. 28, 2013, at St. Mary Manor, Lansdale. Born in Jamaica, N.Y., he was a son of the late Joseph and Loretta (Klein) Lawler. He was the husband of the late Regina M. (Morrison) Lawler for 64 years.

He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He retired from Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he was a senior operations engineer, in 1986.

He was a member of Ss Simon and Jude Catholic Church.

He was a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 313. He was active in community and church affairs.

He is survived by four children, Michael and his wife Michele of Langhorne, Molly Lawler Driscoll of Bethlehem; Patrick and his wife Terry of Cockeysville, Md. and Joseph III of Santa Fe, N.M.; a brother, James and his wife Patricia Lawler of Floral Park, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two sons, Gerard and Thomas Lawler.

Contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 313. P.O. Box 1427, Bethlehem, PA 18017 and/ or St. Mary Manor, 701 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA 19446.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem