Joseph Gillmeyer Jr

Joseph F. Gillmeyer Jr., 63, of Emmaus, died very unexpectedly April 25, 2023 in his home. He was the son of the late Joseph Francis and the late Grace Laurette (Jackson) Gillmeyer Sr. Joe served briefly in the Navy; joining after his high school graduation. Joe was previously the assistant manager at the original Yocco's at 6th and Liberty Sts. He served there for over three decades until its closing and then worked at the Hamilton St. location. At the time of his passing Joe was the fulltime shift leader at Yocco's in Emmaus. He served Yocco's for 38 years. In all that time Joe was only late for work once; the day he died. Joe had many friends among his colleagues and customers.For those who were blessed to know Joe he could be social and quite engaging; quick to laugh and share a smile yet then retreat to his sanctuary to process and regroup; intensely affected by the world around him; often presenting as unaffected and detached yet keenly feeling and absorbing; sensitive; much like Robert Frost's drumlin woodchuck; fully aware of his need to retreat, to think to process to recharge until ready to emerge again to interact with the world around him; "...instinctively thorough about his crevice and burrow...".Joe collected coins; beer steins and 3 Stooges memorabilia. He preferred to watch TCM and TV Land counting MASH and Hogan's Heroes among his favorites. He was proud of his Scotch Ancestry and a lifelong learner about all things Scotland. Joe loved his Buffalo Bills; Turkey Hill Iced Tea, ring bologna, Folgers Coffee, peanut butter sandwiches and his Pop Tarts; specifically strawberry without icing. Joe cherished his pets and was blessed to be the steward of many during his life. Joe will be dearly missed by his sisters, brothers and family; and for Joe his family included Yoccos. He was previously a member of Cathedral St Catharine of Siena.Joe's regularly scheduled day off from work was always Monday. For those who were blessed to know and love Joe we know that it isn't a coincidence that his funeral will occur on a Monday because the Joe we all knew and loved would insist his funeral was scheduled for his regular day off.Survivors: Maureen Gillmeyer, Regina wife of the late Thomas Boka, Kathleen wife of Russell Lauchnor all of Allentown. John Gillmeyer of Kuhnsville, PA and Rev. Patrick Gillmeyer of Aurora, IL; Joe was the proud uncle of Scott, Wayne, Eric, Craig, Staci, Carl and Christopher and the great uncle to Charlotte, Seamus, Jayleigh, Jordon, Hunter and the recently arrived Miss Kellie Irene. Joe was predeceased by his brother Michael.Service and Interment: Monday, May 1 at 10:00AM at the mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery, 547 Krocks Rd., AllentownDonations: Animals in Distress.Arrangements by Robert C Weir Funeral Home. www.WeirFuneral.com