Joseph R. Purvis, 85, died April 11, 2017. He was the husband of Jane (Zardus) Purvis for 60 years.

He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois.

He was in the U.S. Navy.

He was a senior engineer at Western Electric, from which he retired in 1987.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Amy and her husband Samuel Amory of Center Valley; five sons, Mark and his companion Robin Ferrara of Basking Ridge, N.J.; Robert and his wife Suzanne of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Jeffrey and his wife Colleen of Reinholds; Gregory and his companion Dawn Sadowy of Bethlehem and David and his wife Dorinda of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Lynn and her husband Doug Bornhuetter of Albuquerque, N.M.; 11 grandchildren, Ryan and his wife Katie, Kyle, Tyler, Evan, Colby, Caitlin, Caroline and Benjamin Purvis and Luke, Melann and Clark Amory; and a great-grandson, Declan Purvis.

He was predeceased by a sister, Dolores; brother, Gene; and daughter-in-law, Carol Purvis.

There will be a Celebration of Life noon to 4 p.m. April 29 at Iron Lakes Country Club, 3625 Shankweiler Road, Allentown. The calling time will be noon to 2 p.m. and a prayer service at 2 p.m., followed by a luncheon.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Foundation and/or Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospice Care.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.