Joseph Francis Valerian Jaeger, 96, of Hermitage, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, with family at his side.

Born March 16, 1925, in Lyons, Ill., he was one of seven children born to Joseph and Frances (Rezabek) Jaeger. Both of 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 Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.

His final parish was St. Joseph Byzantine Church in Toronto, Ohio, where he helped build the 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, Ohio, 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 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 its final move to Hermitage.

Joseph retired from Youngstown schools in 1988, but he continued teaching Russian courses at 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 and wife, Dawn, of Owings, Md., Maria Found and husband, Matt, of Wolfeboro, N.H., Christina Maurer and husband, Emil, of Hermitage, and Tania Spadafore and husband, Eugene, of Ellwood City; 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, Ill.; 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 a brother, Jerry Jaeger.

In lieu of flowers, Joseph's family suggests memorial contributions be made in his name to St. John's Orthodox Church, 3180 Morefield Road, Hermitage.