Joseph Reichel, retired Northampton County coroner, musician, funeral director, dies

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Longtime Northampton County Coroner and Nazareth-area funeral director Joseph Reichel died Tuesday night. He was 81. An accomplished musician, Reichel led a polka band that bore his name.

Kevin Reichel, his son and fellow funeral director, said his father was admitted to the hospital for a medical procedure and "took a turn for the worse."

Reichel spent 28 years as Northampton County coroner, retiring in 1992.

"He was a hands-on kind of guy," Kevin Reichel said. "He always lent a helping hand with everyone. He was very compassionate."

Reichel's band, Joe Reichel and His Orchestra, was a fixture at local community festivals and events.

Upon his retirement from the county, Reichel told a reporter that his music helped him relieve the stress of his day job. Reichel was a trumpet player.

"Sometimes you have to erupt and empty a lot of things out," he said. "You refresh yourself and then have room to take on more."

Reichel investigated more than 12,000 cases during his tenure and created the county's system to keep coroner reports on record. Reichel was replaced by his deputy and current Coroner Zachary Lysek.

Kevin Reichel said he expects services to include calling hours Sunday night and a funeral mass Monday morning. Check back here for an obituary and complete funeral service information.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2010/11/joseph_reichel_retired_northam.html