Joseph James Vath, 67, of LaPorte, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015.
He was born Dec. 1, 1947, in Mount Prospect, IL, to Fred and Catherine (Hogel) Vath.
Joseph was a vice president of sales for Transco Railway Products Inc. in Chicago. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPorte; past Grand Knight and 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus, St. Michael Council 1542, LaPorte; president of the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Parish; president of Meals on Wheels, LaPorte; and a member of various railroad associations.
On Oct. 2, 1971, Joseph married Barbara Wistain, who survives.
Also surviving are daughters, Lesley (Ralph) Shrader of Williamsport, IN, and Alyssa (Jason) Fowler of Mishawaka, IN; grandchildren, Emily, Riley and Addison Shrader; sister, Georgianna Kouba of Lemont, IL; brothers, Fred (Jessie) Vath of Houston TX, John (Penny) Vath of Downers Grove, IL, and Richard (Maureen) Vath of Bonita Springs, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Katherine Tyler; and brothers, Robert and Donald Vath.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, where a combined Parish and Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPorte. Family and friends are asked to gather at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Essling Funeral Home prior to the Mass. Burial will follow the Mass in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Parish, 130 Bach St., LaPorte, IN 46350; Meals on Wheels of LaPorte, 620 Boston St., Suite 12, LaPorte, IN 46350; or Knights of Columbus St. Michael Council 1542, 412 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.