Joseph Leonard Baldwin

Joseph Leonard Baldwin, Austintown, OH, formerly of Columbia St., Sharon and Hermitage, PA , passed away at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2015, in Humility House, Austintown, OH, after an extended illness. He was 96.
Joseph was born in Sharon, PA on December 5, 1918, the of the late H. Bevan and Anna (Leonard) Baldwin. He was a 1939 graduate of Sharon High School. and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
He was a lifelong and active member of Church of the Sacred Heart Sharon, PA., where he had served in many capacities over the years. Joe had worked as maintenance supervisor at Valley Mold Hubbard, OH., for several years. He also owned the former Isaly's dairy store in downtown Sharon for 21 years.
Joe served as a Sharon Councilman for 16 years, as well as in many capacities including being instrumental in establishing the recycling program for the city. He had been a member of many committees and boards including the Sharon Democratic Committee for 18 years. He was a member of the Sharon Knights of Columbus Council # 684, the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly # 0960, the Catholic War Veterans, # 1446, and the Sharon American Legion, Post 299. While serving as a city councilman, he helped establish an ordinance that would regulate abandoned or burned out homes in the city, which has served as a model ordinance for other cities throughout the state. Being a lifelong poet, he wrote a column known as "Joe's Prose" in the Senior Shopper for many years.
He married the love of his life, the former Margaret Gavala, in the Church of the Sacred Heart, on January 6, 1941. She died on Dec. 15, 2006. He is survived by his 6 sons, Gerald Baldwin, and his wife, Shaunet, of Greenville, PA., Edward Baldwin, and his wife, Patricia, of Phoenix, AZ., James Baldwin, and his wife, Judy, of Manassas, VA, Joseph Baldwin, and his wife, Denise, of Jerome, PA., Dennis Baldwin, and his wife, Linda, of Mineral Ridge, OH, and Kevin Baldwin of Sharon, PA. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren. Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his 3 sisters, Zella Mae, Susanne, and Velma.
Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44512 .
Friends may call on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, from 5:00 till 8:00 p.m., at Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, 264 East State St., Sharon, PA 16146.
Funeral service at Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, PA. at 10:00a.m. on Wednesday, July 1st, with Rev. Henry C. Andrae officiating. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage, Pa.
Condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting stevensonfuneralhome.net