John Philip Kirsch
July 18, 1935 – May 19, 2024

John Philip Kirsch, 88, of Altoona peacefully entered the Kingdom of Heaven at home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.
He was born July 18, 1935 in Altoona to the late Matthew and Madeline (Maloney) Kirsch.
John is survived by his loving wife, Marlene; his brother, David and his wife Agnes; children, David (Cathy), Maureen, Sharlene, Mary Dillen, Dianne (Bob) Worley, Dan (Kelli), Kathy (Pat) Raugh and Stephen; grandchildren, Mathew (Brandy), Danielle (Cory), Eric (Sierra), Ashley (Trevor), Kyle (Chloe), Jacob, Allison (Cody), Aaron, Jennifer, Jessica, Mary, Michael, Nathan, Lauren, Natalie, Thomas, Nicholas (Sabryna), Daniel (Pleasant), Zackary, Emily, Conner, Noah, Olivia, and Brennan; great grandchildren, Gunnar, Eli, Owen, Elvis, Kami, Atticus, Blaire, Caspian and Ezra; special sister-in-law, Hilda Norton; nieces and nephews; and life-long friends, Donald and Mary Ann Courtney. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Gibbons; brother in-law, James Gibbons; son-in-law, Albert Dillen; and nephew, Joseph Kirsch.
On June 18, 1960, John married Marlene Lockard and they began a life dedicated to each other and, as their family grew, their eight children. After attending Villanova University and Penn State University, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and soon began a long career working for Westvaco in Tyrone as a mechanical engineer overseeing boiler operations. After 40 years of dedicated service, he earned a well deserved retirement.
With great pride, John lovingly built his family a home in the woods where he taught many lessons about the virtue of hard work, finding joy in God’s gift of nature and the importance of keeping God at the center of one’s life.
John was an avid fan of Bishop Guilfoyle sports and whatever team his grandchildren were on. He spent many years volunteering as a Scout Leader with Boy Scouts and coach of Juniata Gap Little League. He loved spending time with his family, playing card games, taking hikes or cross country skiing and just sitting by the fire talking about life. He always made time for his grandchildren’s dance recitals, orchestra or chorus concerts, and sporting events. If you were to ask John what his greatest accomplishment was in life, he would have responded without hesitation, his family.
John was a faithful member of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Family and friends will be received from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Plank, Stitt and Stevens Funeral Home, 421 N. Montgomery St. Hollidaysburg PA 16648. Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Friday May 24, 2024 at 10:00 A.M with Msgr. Stanley B. Carson officiating. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.