Joseph Francis Valerian Jaeger, 96

Joseph Francis Valerian Jaeger, 96, of Hermitage, passed away peacefully at home on November 29, 2021 with family at his side.
Born March 16, 1925 in Lyons, IL, he was one of seven children born to Joseph and Frances (Rezabek) Jaeger. Both his parents passed suddenly. Joseph and his brother Jerry were raised at St. Joseph’s orphanage near Chicago while his other siblings were adopted.
Joseph’s religious upbringing in the orphanage was a core influence that led him to pursue priesthood studies at St. Procopius College. During his novitiate and schooling, he chose St. Valerian as his professed name. Father Valerian was ordained in 1951 and served various parishes in IL, NY, and PA. His final parish was St. Joseph Byzantine Church in Toronto, OH where he helped build their new church.
In 1963, he chose to retire from the priesthood and fulfill his dream of having a family. Joseph and Helen (Risnear) met and married. Joseph began his 25-year high school teaching career in Medina, OH instructing English, Latin, and Russian while Helen dedicated her time to raising the children. Joseph loved learning and education, and he shared this love by encouraging families to read and enjoy World Book Encyclopedias.
In 1966, the family moved to Youngstown, OH where Joseph taught at Youngstown City Schools. He continued to nurture his deep faith through involvement at St. Michaels Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher and President of the Church Board.
In 1970, the family made their final move to Hermitage, PA. Joseph retired from Youngstown schools in 1988, but he continued teaching Russian courses at the Penn State Shenango Campus and St. Joseph Parochial School. Joseph served as Cantor at St. John’s Orthodox Church and retired after 50 years of service. Joseph made the Church and his family the top priorities in his life.
Joseph adored his wife of 58 years and was so proud to be a Dad and Grandpa. There was not a bedtime story he wouldn’t read, or a school activity he wouldn’t attend, and he loved leading the fans to cheer at Little League games. He wanted his children to have the love and support of a father that he did not experience.
We will miss his ability to turn any situation into a happier and more positive experience. From breaking out a harmonica to brightening the day of a stranger, Joseph committed himself to helping people smile. He was the ray of sunshine to make us forget a cloudy, rainy day. He was the Jaeger family sun.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Helen, his children Joseph, wife Dawn, of Owings, MD, Maria Found, husband Matt, of Wolfeboro, NH, Christina Maurer, husband Emil, of Hermitage, and Tania Spadafore, husband Eugene, of Ellwood City, PA, his grandchildren Gunner and Anya Found, Dominick, Maddie, and Anthony Spadafore, Alexandra, Emily, and Elizabeth Maurer, and Andrew and Jenna Jaeger, a sister, Gladys Palach of La Grange, IL and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his four sisters, Lillian Anderson, Helen Means, Irene Melander and Eleanor Jaeger and his brother, Jerry Jaeger.
Friends are invited to call at St. John’s Orthodox Church, 3180 Morefield Rd, Hermitage, PA on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 from 4PM-7PM with a Panachida service at 7PM. Friends will also be received at the Church on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 from 10AM until the time of the funeral service at 11AM, with Rev. David Mastroberte, celebrant. Interment will follow in St. John’s Orthodox Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Joseph’s family suggests memorial contributions can made in his name to St. John’s Orthodox Church.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tomon Funeral & Cremation Services, 264 E. State St., Sharon.