Emil Joseph "Joe" Thisse, 85, of Delta, PA, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at UPMC Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Ohio and raised by his adoptive parents, Robert and Dorothy Gillespie. He was married to Hanna Thisse, until her death in 1990. After the death of Hanna, he met and became the longtime companion of Virginia Waddell until her death in December of 2023.

Joe spent 21 years in service to his country as a member of the United States Army, a part of his life that he was most proud of. Following discharge, he worked as an instructor at Aberdeen Proving Ground. In his spare time he enjoyed; boating, traveling, watching football and Nascar racing, feeding and watching birds and going out to eat his favorite cuisine, Italian. He was a member of the American Legion Slate Ridge Post #182.

Joe is survived by his children; Sharon A. Ballweg and her husband Vince, of Abingdon, MD, Robert Thisse and his wife Kathy, of Fawn Grove, PA, Joanie McCoy and her husband Tom, of Delta, PA, Chuck Stoker and his wife Debbie, of Reisterstown, MD and Lisa Gaeth and her husband Aaron, of Whiteford, MD. He is also survived by his sisters, Cindy Wical and her husband Miren and Jenny Cimprich and her husband James, all of Ohio. In addition, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren survive.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Joe was predeceased by his sons, Joseph J. Thisse, Lawrence C. Waddell and Robert Waddell.

A viewing will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 10:00 am until Noon at Harkins Funeral Home, Inc., 600 Main Street, Delta, PA. A funeral service will begin in the chapel of the funeral home at Noon with members of the family officiating. Interment will occur immediately following the funeral in Slate Ridge Cemetery, Delta, PA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harkins Funeral Home, Inc., of Delta, PA.