Joseph David Fye, 84, of Pennsylvania Furnace, gained his wings on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Joe was born on March 5, 1941. He was the son of the late Richard “Dick” Fye, and Mary Alice Fye of PA. Furnace.
On February 13, 1971, he married Caroline LaBonna (Bonnie) Wisor of Woodland. She survives at home. He leaves behind two daughters, Missy Sible of Warriors Mark, and Becky Fye-Nguyen and her husband Henry, of State College. He had four grandchildren, Amber (Sible) Fouquet & her husband Cody, of Saucier, MS, and Ashlie Sible of PA. Furnace, as well as Khai Joseph and Maleah Nguyen of State College. He also had 3 great grandchildren, Aahden and Elainah Fouquet of Saucier, MS and Zoey W. Sible of PA. Furnace.
Joe was a 1958 graduate of State High. He attended Penn State Mont Alto where he studied Forestry. He spent six months as a member of the Hotshot Crew in Oregon in the early 60’s, although his stories made it seem like he was there for six years. Joe went on to fight forest fires throughout the years, and loved playing Smokey the Bear for local parades and carnivals when Becky was young.
Joe was a proud Veteran, serving in the Army Reserves from 1967-1972. He was a member of the Honor Guard with the American Legion Post 245 for over twenty years. He enjoyed his father’s farm, working there when he wasn’t working his full time job at the State College Post Office. He retired in 1999 after 35 years. Joe was a lifelong member of Gatesburg Lutheran Church, where he served many roles over the years. He also helped begin the State College Federal Credit Union, and was a proud member of the Baileyville Community Hall, American Legion Post 245, and Ag Forum.
Always wanting to give back, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and many hurricane clean-ups in the 80’s and 90’s. He was a blood donor for the Red Cross and gave regularly to the State College Food Bank. Joe always believed in helping anytime in any way possible, and would give the shirt off his back if it was needed.
Joe never went anywhere that he couldn’t find someone to talk to. He may have entered a place as a stranger, but never for very long. His laugh was contagious, his stories were entertaining, and his heart was made of gold. Everybody seemed to know “Good Ol’ Joe Fye”.
To say he will be missed tremendously is an understatement.
Visitation will be held at Koch’s Funeral Home in State College on Tuesday, November 25th from 12:00-2:00 and 4:00-6:00. A private funeral will be held for the family.
We will host a Celebration of Life in the spring so that everyone can celebrate and share the many stories of Joe Fye.
The family would like to thank all of Joe’s “village” for their generosity and support over the past few years as his health declined. We were able to fulfill his wish of staying home at “Rock Bottom Ranch”, which he built himself in the 70’s, because of all of you.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the organizations that Joe loved and supported. And in honor of his legacy, please help thy fellow neighbor in any way possible.