CASERTA, Joseph C.

Age 96, of Piqua, went home to be with the Lord at 1:25

A.M. Tuesday October 23, 2018 at Piqua Manor Nursing Home.

He was born in Piqua on September 25, 1922 to the late

Charles and Nunziatina Nancy”

(Cipriano) Caserta. On March

30, 1948 at St. Mary Catholic

Church, Piqua, he married

Annetta J. Harmony. She preceded him in death.

Joe is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Keith J. and Roberta Caserta, Loveland, OH and Dr. Kent A. Caserta and Kris Reed, Chardon, OH; one daughter and son-in-law: Kimberly and William Caserta-Long, Piqua; three brothers: Rev. Fr. Angelo Caserta, Piqua, Rev. Fr. Charles Caserta, Troy, OH, William “Bill” Caserta, Piqua; one sister: Amelia Gillis, Piqua; one sister-in-law: Barbara Caserta, Piqua; ten grandchildren: Keith Caserta II, Dr. Kevin Caserta, Nicholas Caserta, Jennifer Caserta-Williams, Matthew Caserta, Dr. Justin Caserta, Dr. Brittany Caserta-Smith, Dylan Long, Wyatt Long; and seven great grandchildren: Noah Caserta, Bailey Caserta, Joseph Caserta, Elise Caserta, Logan Williams, Cecilia Williams, and Elsie Caserta. He was preceded in death by four brothers: C. Anthony Caserta, Vincent Caserta, Bert J. Caserta and Tom Caserta; and three sisters: Eleanor Johnston, Rose Tyler and Virginia Marsili.

Joe graduated from Piqua Catholic High School in 1940. He also graduated from University of Dayton in 1946 and Loyola University in 1947. Joe was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Piqua. He was also a member of the Piqua V. F. W Post #4874 and the Piqua American Legion Post #184. Joe proudly served his country as a member of the US Army during WW II serving in the South Pacific Theatre where he received the Purple Heart. He was an agent for Prudential Insurance Company for 47 years before retiring in 1982.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday October 26, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Piqua with Rev. Fr. Daniel P. Hunt as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua with full military honors by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. Family will receive friends Thursday 5-8 P.M. at

MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME, Piqua.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Adopt-A-Student Program, 528 Broadway, Piqua, OH 45356. Condolences may be expressed to the family at

www.melcher-sowers.com.