Joe D. McCarthy

Joe D. McCarthy, 89, of Bernville, passed away on March 16, 2021 in Penn State St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Joe was the loving husband of Bertha A. (Schneck) McCarthy until the time of her passing on August 2, 2019.

Joe proudly began serving his country in the United States Army. He joined the Army in 1951 when he was 19 years old. Soon after his training, he was deployed to Korea. During his time in battle, he received three purple hearts. After his recovery from his wounds, Joe was given the proud title of Sergeant and returned back to the United States.

Joe was a member of the Army National Guard and the Marine Reserves.

As luck would have it, Joe returned home just in time for his 21 st birthday. To celebrate this occasion, the men in his barracks took him to Grantville to celebrate. Joe noticed a beautiful girl smiling at him. He finally got the courage to ask her to dance. Her name was Bertha Schneck. Joe always said it was the best birthday present he ever had. Joe and Bertha eventually got married, settled in Bernville, raised a family, and shared 67 years of marriage until Bertha passed in 2019.

After 28 years of combined service in various branches of service, Joe retired from the military as Master Sergeant and remained a proud veteran throughout his life.

After his military career, he looked towards the future and began a career in accounting. He was hired in the accounting department at Met Ed and then promoted to auditor. His years of experience lead him to become Controller at the Ephrata Hospital for ten years, an auditor for Sperry Rand in New Holland, and ended his accounting career as an auditor for an Engineering Firm that stationed him all over the world.

He was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church in Bernville.

Throughout all of his hard work to his country and family, Joe always had a passion for music. He joined the Rajah Shriner’s concert band in 1995. Joe proudly served as Band President for over 22 years. Additionally, he led the unit by managing and selling the Pop’s Concert Program Book and the Annual Lottery Calendar Fund Raiser. He also served as an ambassador for the 100 Million Dollar Club.

In addition, he served as President of the Mid-Atlantic Band Association of North America representing all bands from Canada, United States, Mexico, and Panama. He was master-of-ceremony for many years at the MASBA Festival of Music.

Joe was an active member of the Williamson Lodge #307 in Womelsdorf, where he served as a Past Worshipful Master. He was an active volunteer for The Shriners. He was a member of The American Legion Post #732 in Bernville, where he was a Post Adjutant and the President of the Membership Drive. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Reading since 1961.

Surviving are two children, James P. McCarthy and wife Denise M. McCarthy of Bernville and Gail R. Miller and husband Steve of Pennsville, NJ.

There are two grandchildren, Katherine Van Tonder and husband Lodi Van Tonder and Alexandra Skrypek and husband Chase Skrypek.

There are three great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by a grandson, Andrew Miller, and several siblings.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in the Kirkhoff Funeral Home, 206 N Main Street, Bernville PA 19506. At the conclusion of the viewing, a Masonic Service will be conducted by the Williamson Lodge #307 of Womelsdorf with a Funeral Service immediately following officiated by Pastor Barry Moyer.

Interment will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville PA where Military Honors will be performed.

Contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 3551 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19140.