Joseph W. Marquardt, Sr.

BETHELEM - Joseph W. Marquardt Sr., 67, died on Monday, Nov. 13, 2006. Born May 24, 1939, in Easton, he was the son of the late Fred and Anna Jurceka Marquardt.

He was a life-long resident of Preston. After attending public school in Preston, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon his release from service, he returned to Preston where he married Patricia Lee Lowe. She preceded him in death.

They built a home and had a family on his grandfather"s farm in Bethlehem where he lived his remaining years as a self-employed plumbing, heating and electrical contractor in the Mid-Shore area.

He was a member of American Legion Post 70 in Easton and a former member of the Jr. Order in Preston.

Mr. Marquardt is survived by his companion, Rose Johnson; five sons, Joseph W. Marquardt Jr. of Cumberland, Michael Alan Marquardt and his wife, Shirley of Gettysburg, Pa., Richard Lee Marquardt and his wife, Jennifer of Bethlehem, Gary Rudolph Marquardt and his partner, Hugo Ruesgas of Oxford, and Rodney Scott Marquardt and his partner, Brenda Lambert of Grasonville; two sisters, Anne Foreman of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Rose Marie Bossert of Aiken, S.C.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a brother, Charles I. Marquardt who died in 1988.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans" Cemetery, Beulah.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Legion Post 70, 29511 Canvasback Drive, Easton, MD 21601.