Joseph R. Meckes, 63, of Orefield, died Aug. 15, 2014, in the Inpatient Hospice Unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown.

He and his wife Sharon M. (Hoffman) Meckes were married 40 years last Aug. 18.

Born May 21, 1951, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Russell C. Sr. and Nadine E. (Moyer) Meckes.

He was employed in the IT Department of Air Products and Chemical Inc., Trexlertown, for more than 30 years before retiring in 2004.

He also worked part-time at Crystal Spring Farm, Schnecksville, for the last nine years.

Active in the life of his church and community, he was a member of the Lutheran congregation of Ziegels Union Church, Breinigsville, serving as the Lutheran Council president and chairman of the Worship and Music Committee.

He also sang with the choir and played handbells.

He was a former Boy Scout Leader of Troop 261, Breinigsville, former Neffs Volunteer Firefighter and former Northwestern Youth Soccer coach.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Gregory J. of Glen Burnie, Md.; daughter, Valerie S. Missmer and her husband, Jason, of Orefield; sister Joanne M. Duke and her husband, Earl, of Orefield; brother Russell C. Jr. and his wife, Deborah, of Trexlertown; grandchildren Benjamin and Ava; and grandpuppies.

Expressions of sympathy may be recorded at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.