Joseph Balascak, 92, of Emmaus, died Feb. 22, 2022, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. He was the husband of the late Helen (Engleman) Balascak who died Feb. 3, 2017. Born on the family farm in Vera Cruz, he was the baby of a very large family born to John and Anna (Yurick) Balaschak.

He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emmaus, where he and his wife were married in 1953. They enjoyed working at the church food tent during the Great Allentown Fair, when many local churches served hot, plated meals along the 17th Street side of the Fairgrounds.

He graduated from Emaus High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in Japan and Korea.

He worked at Exide Battery for 40 years, retiring in 1992.

His biggest joy was seeing everyone together at the family gatherings.

He is survived by Ann Ruhf and Larry (Vickie); grandchildren Joshua and Rachael, of Philadelphia, Jessica and Fred Gerloff, of Eagleville, Lisa and Jeff Carl, of Sykesville, Md; great-grandchildren, Nora and Freddie Gerloff, Rowan and Ada and Audrey Carl and Audrey. He was predeceased by siblings: Anna, Mary Moyer, Helen Meckes, John, Julia Sacarakis, Michael, Verna Teman, Peg Bartholomew, Irene Steiner and Olga Gulla. He is the end of the generation.

Contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 18049.

Services are private. Arrangements were made by the Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Emmaus.