Joe Edgar Brush, age 71, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in Plano, TX. He was born January 3, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pa to Charles Wallace and Ruth Mittie (Lloyd) Brush. He lived and worked in construction in Western Pennsylvania, before moving to Plano fifteen years ago. Joe was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 66) and very skilled in running all manner and types of construction equipment from bobcats to very large boom cranes. When he arrived in Texas in his mid-50s, Joe was welcomed by the local union and well respected for his ability to operate specialized equipment. He was an operating engineer for more than 50 years - one of the last of a dying breed of multi-skilled equipment operators.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Madelon Issaeff; four children, Mollie Griffith (and Dan) of Phoenix, VA, Heidi Covey (and Lynn) of Pittsburgh, PA, Gretchen Brush of Randolph, VA, and Joe Brush (and Melissa) of San Jose, CA; ten grandchildren.
He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters, Charles Preston Brush and his wife, Audrey of Pittsburgh, PA, Rosalie Brush, wife of Jack Richard Brush, Prescott, AZ, Janet Sihler and her husband, Chuck of San Diego, CA, and Jacqueline (Jackie) Thomison and her husband, Arnie of Copan, OK, as well as many nieces and nephews. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Richard Brush.
As a young man, Joe had become a member of the Masonic Lodge (John A. Brashear Lodge No. 743) in Pittsburgh in 1965. Just two years later, in 1967, he became a member of the Valley of Pittsburgh Scottish Rite – 32 degree.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at 10:00 AM in the Tuxedo Assembly of God Church of Bartlesville, OK. Interment will follow in the Dewey Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Frisco, TXon Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM with Brother Tim Jennings officiating.
Joe continues to honor the Masonic ideals of brotherhood and community service by suggesting, in lieu of flowers, contributions be given to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Donations can be made online at http://support.shrinershospitals.org or mailed to Shriners Hospitals for Children®, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.