Rev. Joseph Edward Feltz – Butler
Rev. Joseph Edward Feltz, 68, of Butler, beloved retired priest of St. Christopher At The Lake Roman Catholic Church of Prospect, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at Butler Memorial Hospital following an illness. Born July 23, 1953, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Joseph M. and Thelma Sandusky Feltz. He attended Holy Trinity School and graduated from Serra High School in 1971. He obtained his bachelor of arts from Duquesne University in 1975 and a Master’s in Theology from Mount Saint Mary’s in 1979. Rev. Joseph E. Feltz was ordained into the Catholic priesthood on Sept. 29, 1979. He served the Lord at numerous parishes in the Pittsburgh Diocese, where he cherished his parishioners, enjoyed working with Catholic priest friends, working with other denominational pastors in his communities and friendships he made with many friends along the way. In 2010, he moved to Prospect and was the priest at St. Christopher At The Lake Roman Catholic Church, until his retirement in 2018. Father Joe enjoyed Mass, holidays, church festivals and time with his family and church families. Father Joe was loved for his caring soul and was told many times that families returned to church because of his devoted ministry. In addition, he was CCD deanery director at the Washington East Deanery from February 1995 until July 2004. He also served as a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus from 1992 until 2010. Father Joe loved his mother, Thelma; he also leaned and prayed on Mother Mary for advice and strength. He was a pristine collector of many things. Many would refer to his residence as his “museum” because he loved collecting coins and stamps as well as religious, Civil War and Indian artifacts. He enjoyed cooking, especially Slovak dishes, watching “Svengoolie” on Saturday nights and sitting on his porch with a good cigar and a little sip of scotch. Joseph is survived by his brother, Dennis M. Feltz; his nieces, Laura (Sean) Feltz Griffith, Mary (Eric) Feltz and Beth (Tony) Fleming; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death his stepfather, Larry Riazzi; his brother, Vincent “Buddy” Feltz; and his nephew, D.J. Feltz. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, and Friday, Oct. 1, at RAISLEY FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES PC, 387 Main St., Prospect, Pa. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at St. Michael’s Greek Ukrainian Catholic Church, 610 Hansen Ave., Butler, with the Rev. Father Lorance Douglas officiating. Graveside interment service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Calvary Cemetery, 510 Dersam St., Port Vue, PA 15133. For more information or to leave an online tribute, please visit www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.