Joseph J. Ekl

Joseph John (Jack) Ekl, 79, of North Huntingdon, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017. He is survived by his wife Frances (Bugajski) Ekl, and they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage in June; his children, Debra (Ken Popelas), Joseph Jr. (Victoria), Randy (Maxine), and Robert (Donna); eight grandchildren, Tim, Brian, Adam, Spencer, Laura, Emily, Keith, and Justin; and brother, Terry (Brenda). He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eleanor (Busata) Ekl; brother, Tom; and sister, Eleanor. Jack was a longtime employee of General Motors, retiring with 45 years of service. The majority of his career was at Fisher Body, Dravosburg, as a supervisor in Tool and Die. He served in the Army National Guard, and received an honorable discharge at the rank of staff sergeant. He was an inspector of Nike sites in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, and was also an instructor at the Officer Candidate School at Indiantown Gap. Jack had many interests, including belonging to the GMC Motorhome club, where he previously held the office of vice president of the Eastern States Motorhome Club, and enjoyed putting on seminars. Jack enjoyed photography, especially of covered bridges. He was also a locksmith, hunter, mechanic and computer club member, and researched the family genealogy, cataloging thousands of family members. He was instrumental in building the PAL baseball fields. He was quite involved in PAL basketball, as a coach, referee and commissioner for many years. He was truly a jack of many trades.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the JAMES W. SHIRLEY FUNERAL HOME, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, in St. Agnes Church, followed by interment at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Norwin Public Library Ancestry Genealogy. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com.