Obituary of Joseph Anthony Popple

Joseph A. Popple, 46, of Plains Township, took charge over his cancer on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in the Hospice Community Care, Geisinger South, and Wilkes-Barre. Joseph always said, "I'm in charge of my cancer and it will not defeat me." Joseph fought the courageous fight and won with his family at his side. Born on February 4, 1967, he is the son of Tina Mirowski Popple and the late Joseph Francis Popple. Joseph grew up in the Plains and Wilkes-Barre areas. He attended Plains Junior High School and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Class of 1985. Joseph continued his education at the Penn State Lehman Campus where he received his degree in engineering. Upon graduation, Joseph was employed by Smith,Miller and Associates of Kingston for a short time. He then continued his education in geographic information systems which lead him into successful employment with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation located in Dunmore. Joseph enjoyed many great years working with his colleagues and friends until cancer challenged him in January 2013. Joseph will be remembered as a faithful Phillies, Steelers, and Norte Dame fan. He enjoyed having parties under his back deck to celebrate a game or just a family outing on a weekend. He most of all loved to plan and take trips to Disney with his family. He would spend countless hours planning to make sure everyone got their fill of the Disney Magic. Joseph was a member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Plains. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph,2010. Surviving are his wife Mary Elizabeth Miskiewicz Popple, at home. Together they shared twenty four years of happiness and love. Joseph's greatest blessing was to become the father of his two beautiful daughters Lauren and Julia, both at home. Also surviving are his mother Tina Popple, Miners-Mills; sister Judy Popple, Laurel Springs, New Jersey; mother and father in law, Stanley and Elizabeth Miskiewicz, Plains, and sister in law Audra Yanchuck, Parsons; Joseph was honored to be the godfather to his godson Michael Yanchuck, Parsons; his two cats Evie and Bella; dog Buster, lovingly known by Joe as, "the idiot"; and the fish. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, on Friday, May 10, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.. Friends planning on attending Joseph's funeral are asked to go directly to the church. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Thursday, May 9, 2013; from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Joseph requested that "all donations" be given to the Miles for Michael Fund , 9 North Main Street, Pittston, Pa, 18640. 570-654-5505. Condolences to his family and directions to the services are available at www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com.