Joseph Edward Trettel

MIDDLETOWN - Joseph Edward Trettel, died in Broadmeadow Health Care in Middletown, on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Joe was born Oct. 4, 1923 in Beaver Meadows, Pa. He was baptized on Oct. 7, 1923 at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Hazleton, Pa. He was the son of Anna Seaman Trettel and Joseph Francis Trettel, who preceded him death. His son, James Trettel, his brother, Francis Trettel, and his brother-in-law, James Susack also preceded him in death. Mr. Trettel grew up in Beaver-Meadows, Pa. and graduated from Hazelton High School in 1941. He worked at Duplan Silk Mill in Hazelton, Pa. for one year before his army service, and six more years after returning home. Mr. Trettel served in the United States Army Air Corps from October 1942 to December 1945, during World War II. He was in the front line Close Air Support Unit, 12th Tactical Air Communication Squadron, serving in China, Burma, and India. He attained the rank of Sergeant, and received three Battle Stars. He lived for 29 years in Bridgeport, Conn., where he worked for 11 years at Trio Industries as a shear operator and as a foreman. He also worked at Norden Aircraft in Norwalk, Conn. He was a mail carrier in Fairfield, Conn. for eight years and retired from the United States Postal Service. After retiring he lived in Hawley, Pa., and then for 20 years in Freeland, Pa. He moved to Smyrna, in February 2005 to be near his family. Mr. Trettel enjoyed fishing, reading, cooking breakfast, repairing old furniture, visiting with friends, having yard sales, and sharing his life with his wife. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Theresa Reiser Trettel, whom he married on April 30, 1946 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Freeland, Pa. He is also survived by one son, Joseph John Trettel and his wife Mary Ann, of Dover; four grandchildren, James P. Trettel and his wife Donel, of O'Fallon, Ill., Thomas Trettel, of Claymont, Joseph Douglas Trettel and his wife Maureen, of Smyrna, and Laura Scott, of Smyrna; ten great-grandchildren, Aimee, Cara and Sean Trettel, of O'Fallon, Ill., Gabrielle, Jordyn, and Joseph Ferris and Evan Trettel, of Smyrna, and Alexis and Logan Scott, of Smyrna; two step-great-grandchildren, Katherine and Erin Currie, of Smyrna; his sister, Agatha Susack, of Skippack, Pa.; and his sister-in-law, Mary Trettel, of Slatington, Pa., and their families. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in St. Polycarps Roman Catholic Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. Friends may call from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna. Arrangements are by Faries Funeral Directors Inc., 29 S. Main St., Smyrna. Letters of condolence may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.