Walter L. "Joe" Houser

Walter L. “Joe” Houser, 78, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

The son of Walter N. and Caroline R. (Resides) Houser, he was born December 2, 1945, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Joe was a graduate of Blairsville High School, Class of 1963 and a veteran of the US Air Force serving in the Vietnam War.  He was a construction foreman for 47 years until his retirement.

He was a member of Laborer’s Local Union # 1058 of Pittsburgh, BPOE #406, Blairsville, Acacia Lodge # 355 F&AM, Blairsville, and Mill Run Camp Association.

Joe coached Blairsville Little League Baseball and Boilermaker Football for many years.  He was an avid sports fan, especially local sports, and could always be found on the sidelines cheering on his children and grandchildren.

Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Janet L. (Jones) Houser whom he married on March 10, 1973; two sons, Joseph W. “J.W.” Houser (Brenda) of Blairsville, and Jess N. Houser (Maria) of Blairsville; a stepdaughter, Kara Gordon of Collingswood, NJ; four grandchildren, Frankie Houser (fiancé, Cory), Cassidy “C.J” Houser, Brody Houser, and Mason Houser; and three step grandchildren, Senior Airman Jesse Klingensmith, Isabella Klingensmith, and Mariah Small.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, August 4th, from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA.   A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday at 11 AM with Pastor Lori Parks officiating.

Interment will be in Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.

Military services will be conducted by the Blairsville Military Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to St. Jude Research Hospital or River Valley Education Foundation, c/o Geoff Dixon, 102 School Ln., Blairsville, PA 15717.