Joseph Tuholsky

Joseph Martin Tuholsky, Jr., 80 of Indiana, PA passed away on March 6, 2019 at IRMC after a short illness.

Born in Peckville, Pennsylvania, he later moved to KY where he was graduated from Murray State University. His teaching and consulting career of 42 years spanned Alleghany High School in Covington, VA, Dabney-Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge, VA, West Virginia University-Institute of Technology (WVU-IT) in Montgomery, WV and law firms in multiple states. Professor Tuholsky also taught in his retirement for Southern Illinois University.

As a lifelong avid sports fan, he coached youth baseball and basketball teams, instituted the recreation department in Oak Hill, WV in the 1980’s, wrote a sports column for the Fayette Tribune and coached men’s soccer at WVIT in 1981 and 1982. Joe participated in the Senior Olympics in PA, TN, and WV, winning medals in various disciplines and previously played baseball for Hartman-Graziano in the Latrobe/Derry Old Timer League, 55+ Division.

Joe was raised in the Polish National Catholic faith and later attended Episcopal and Lutheran churches. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Homer City, PA.

Joe’s hobbies included cracking jokes, fabricating fishing lures, fishing, golfing, sports statistics, target shooting and woodworking. 

Joe is survived by his wife, Sue, of 59 years, son Mark (Beverly) Tuholsky of Joppa, MD, daughter Jenny Minnick (Ronnie) of Fall Branch, TN and daughter Amy Pesci (Lou) of Indiana, PA. Grandchildren include, Megan and Louie Pesci, Christine Rodgers and Ashley Schwandt. Great-grandchildren are Maddex Rodgers and Lucas Schwandt. Joe’s siblings include Ray Tuholsky, Sr. (Evonne) of Avon, MN, Chris Hartung (Bill) of Bellbrook, OH. He is also survived by sister-in-law Jannie Washburn (Roy) of Benton, KY, and brother-in-law Bill Fletcher (Doris) of Benton, KY. His closest cousins included, Barbara, Donna, Joe, Ronnie, Teresa and Wanda, plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Joseph Tuholsky, Sr., and Regina Tuholsky, a cousin, Bobby Tuholsky and nephew, Ray Tuholsky, Jr.  Close friends were colleagues from WVIT, Larry Frank, his fishing buddy Johnnie Scarbro, Richard Spooner and the late Chuck Adams, John Herbruck, Donald Scruggs and Benny Smith.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 35 Ridge Ave., Homer City, PA 15748, or to Miracle League of Indiana County, Attn: Paula Lieb, 60 Ben Franklin Rd., Indiana, PA 15701.

A private, graveside burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Indiana, PA on June 1, 2019.

Arrangements are being handled by John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home.  

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