“work hard, play hard”   

Joseph E. “Papa Joe” Riehle, 84, of Shinglehouse, PA passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Buffalo, N.Y., after a brief illness.

Born on Sunday, November 20, 1938 in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Eugene and Marie Geise Riehle.  On September 13, 1996 in Bolivar, N.Y., he married Beverly “Sue” Phillips, who survives.

Joe started his education in a one room schoolhouse across the road from the family farm on Birch Run, he then attended St. Bonaventure Catholic School, and graduated from Allegany Central School, Class of 1957. 

He was employed by the former Clark Brothers in Olean, where he mastered his welding craft.  He later taught welding at BOCES in Olean.  He then was employed at Portville Forest Products as Mill foreman.  Lastly he was employed by RAM Forest Products in Shinglehouse.  Throughout his working career, Joe also owned and operated his own welding shop—as he was never idle.  On the rare occasion that he did take time off, it was to ride his Gold Wing with his buddies or attend a family gathering.

Joe was a member of Sharon Lodge #598 F. & A.M., Shinglehouse and was a life member of the NRA.  He loved snowmobiling and riding his motorcycle.  He also enjoyed hunting.  Above all he liked to work.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife; four sons, Clayton (Michelle) Riehle, Anthony (Karola) Riehle, Mark (Kimberly) Riehle, and Andrew (Brenda) Riehle; three stepchildren, Rhonda Monahan, Janine (Randy) Ours, and Mark Monahan; eighteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Fritz; a brother, James Riehle; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.  

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by a sister, Catherine Senyk; and a brother-in-law, Edward Fritz.

Family and friends may call from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, August 18, 2023, with Pastor Chad E. Shaffer, of Bell Run Union Church, Shinglehouse, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

Members of Sharon Lodge #598 F. & A.M. will conduct a memorial service at 7:45pm on Thursday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, ATTENTION: Office of Dr. Steven Nurkin, 901 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.

Joe’s family entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Joe, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.