Joseph J. King III, 65, passed away on February 11 at his home, with his best friend and wife, Donna, by his side.

Born in Pittsburgh, Joe was the son of the late Joseph, Jr. and Elizabeth Deere King. He was the husband of Donna L. Baldori King, with whom he celebrated 42 years of marriage this past August 13 ^th .  Donna and Joe began their romance in Lancaster County and recently returned to the area to enjoy their retirement years there together. Previously they resided in Whitehouse Station, NJ, for 30 years.

Joe had worked as a Senior Research Scientist for Merck Pharmaceutical in Rahway, NJ for 32 years until his retirement in 2002. He was proud to have made significant contributions to the medical research field during his career in the pharmaceutical industry.  Joe graduated from the University of Scranton, where he earned a BS in Biology, and he earned his Master's degree in Microbiology from Boston College.

Above all, Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his four cherished grandchildren. He had a great love for the peace and beauty provided by nature, and over the years he shared this joy with others through his beautiful home aquariums and outdoor Koi ponds. Other favorite pastimes included model railroading and "tinkering" with power equipment and tractors. Joe also loved "getting his hands dirty" while tending to his garden and also put forth noble attempts to outwit the local deer herd's attempts at frolicking in his landscaping projects.

In addition to his wife, Joe leaves behind to cherish his memory his three loving children: Lara E. married to James Rohl of Nazareth; Joseph J. King IV, companion to Deanna Gulick of Whitehouse Station NJ; and Eric C. King,  fiancée of Maria Picchetti of Atlanta, GA; and his four adoring grandchildren: Frederick, James, Emily, and Joseph V. He is also survived by his two brothers: Timothy, Sr. married to Carol King of Landisville, and Thomas  married to Sally King of Lititz; and his two sisters: Elizabeth  married to Andrew Nielsen of Mishawaka, IN and Laurel married to Milton Manning of Albany, GA. Joe was preceded in death by his brother, P. Terrence King.

Friends will be received on Monday from 10:30AM to 12 noon at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, with the funeral service to follow at 12 noon, the Rev. Mark Weiss officiating. Interment will immediately follow at St. Joseph's New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Joe's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Assn., Central PA Chapter, 717 Market St., Suite 108, Lemoyne, PA 17043. To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com