Joseph Martin Lautsch

Joseph Martin Lautsch of Lancaster, died Sunday, December 24, 2006 at home, after a long illness.

He was born July 27, 1930 in North Belle Vernon, the son of the late John R. and Catherine Knutt Lautsch.

On April 16, 1955, he married LaRue Helen Gahres, who survives at home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Pamela Lautsch-Bowman of State College and Tamara Lautsch, at home. He is also survived by one grandson, Joseph J. Bowman, and his wife Holly, both of State College.

Mr. Lautsch was a graduate of Monessen High School and attended the Lancaster Business College.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Second World War, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major while serving in Occupied Japan. He later reenlisted during the Korean Conflict, and earned several individual and unit citations; including the Army Commendation Medal, WWII Good Conduct Medal, WWII Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea War Service Medals, and the United Nations Service Medal.

He was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as an Administrative Engineer in District 8-0, and served as the project engineer for the reconstruction of the Hunsecker’s Mill Covered Bridge after it was destroyed in 1972 by Hurricane Agnes. This work, on the longest single span covered bridge in the United States, earned him a citation from the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania. Following his retirement from PennDOT, Mr. Lautsch served as the Director for Internal Affairs for McMinn’s Asphalt Company, Inc. for six years. 

Mr. Lautsch was preceded in death by brothers Peter, Rudolph, Simon, Walter, and John, and sisters Appolonia, Stella, Louise, Mary, and JoAnn. He is survived by a sister, Anna Domjancic of Monessen.

A hard worker in both his professional and personal lives, Mr. Lautsch lived life to the fullest and made sure there were enough hours in each day for family, faith, and friends.

He gave his time freely to several fraternal and community organizations. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Red Rose Chapter; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 1463, Lititz.  At the Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Assembly he attained Fourth Degree status and was past Grand Commander of the Order of the Alahambra Mecca #88 Lodge.  With the Travelers Protective Association Post D he served in various posts including the National Director and State President.  He also served as the Deputy Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Youth Special Olympics. He was very interested in furthering the causes of the Fraternal Order of Police; being a member of the Robert Lapp Memorial Lodge #66 at the state level and at the municipal level Red Rose Lodge #16.  As a very social person he enjoyed the company of many friends at several societal clubs, including the Commercials Travelers Association, Hubley Manufacturing Company and Seventh Ward Club.  His community interests were not only in Lancaster County. For many years he and his wife volunteered as hosts at the artists’ welcome reception at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College.

Mr. Lautsch was a man of strong Christian faith. He served as the President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Secretary of St. Anthony’s Holy Name Society and elected Man of the Year in 1973, and served as head usher for 20 years at St Anthony of Padua parish in Lancaster.

In lieu of flowers, donations made in his memory to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society 501 East Orange Street, the Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary 1834 Lititz Pike, and the Penn State Cancer Institute c/o Penn State College of Medicine, The Office of University Development A120 PO Box 152 Hershey, and Hospice of Lancaster County 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa 17604.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, Pa.  on Saturday at 11:00AM. Interment in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz on Friday from 6:00-8:00PM and on  Saturday at St Anthony Catholic Church from 10:00-11:00AM. The rosary will be recited on Friday evening at 7:30PM.