Joseph A. Ludrof, Jr. February 25, 1934 - January 27, 2026

Joseph A. Ludrof, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the loving husband of the late Barbara A. (Reinhard) Ludrof, who predeceased him on January 9, 2026. They shared 71 years of marriage. Born in Allentown on February 25, 1934, Joseph was the son of the late Joseph A. Ludrof, Sr. and Terese (Gregor) Ludrof.

Joseph attended Northampton High School for two years and Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS) for two years, having graduated from ACCHS in 1952. At both schools, he played both football and basketball. Joseph was co-captain of the ACCHS basketball team that won the PCIAA 1952 State Championship. In 1952-1953, he attended Rider University on a full basketball scholarship. Joseph completed his college education with a degree from Penn State University in 1959. He was inducted into the ACCHS Wall of Fame in 1993.

In addition to sports, Joseph excelled in his professional career too, having served as a Controller, Business Manager, Treasurer and Accountant for many companies with operations in the Lehigh Valley region (Modern Transfer, Mary MacIntosh Laudries, Bethlehem Contracting, Welder Training and Testing Institute). In 1999, he retired after working at a local law firm (King, McCardle) in Allentown. He served on the Public Safety Committee for Lower Macungie Township as well as engaging with community-based organizations such as Salisbury Township and East Penn School District.

Joseph’s life was deeply rooted in faith and community service. As a founding member of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, he served as the School Board Treasurer and coach of the CYO high school boys basketball team. He was a past Treasurer of Trident Swim Club and ACCHS Booster Club.  Joseph was Chairman of the Board for the Old Time Athletes and Friends Group. He was most proud of his civic duty, having received an award for voting in 52 straight elections.

He was a very passionate fan of his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Even though his lifelong fandom was rewarded with two Super Bowl victories, his dying wish was that six Eagles players act as pallbearers for him so they can “let him down one more time!”  Joseph had the extreme honor of attending a private audience with Pope John Paul II in 2002, where he accidentally wore his Eagles hat, the Pope saw it before he was asked to remove it, and the Pope simply said, “I see that you’re an Eagles fan and for that, I’m sorry.”

Joseph will be greatly missed by his entire family. Survivors: son Joseph III of Fountain Hill, daughter Julia Scott of Allentown, daughter-in-law Lori Ludrof of Cranberry Township; daughter Jane Merritt (Stan) of Phoenixville, and son John (Natalie) of Allentown; sister-in-law, Beverly Fekula (Jack) of Whitehall; grandchildren – Jeffrey Ludrof, Jr., Joseph Ludrof (Katelyn), Jim Merritt (Sandi), Brian Ludrof (Ailee), Jared Ludrof, Laura Lesagonicz (Chris), Abigail Ludrof and Tori Merritt; great-grandchildren – Emersyn, Blake, Owen, Tanner, Cheyenne, Audrey, Emery, Benjamin, Hayden and Leo, in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Barbara A. Ludrof, his son Jeffrey Ludrof, Sr. and two sisters, Teresa Lewis and Jeanne Tilghman.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to all those that cared for Joseph in his later years at Riverton Enhanced Senior Living and Phoebe Home, both in Allentown.

Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown. Family and friends may pay their respects from 10 – 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Interment will follow services at Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown. The Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, P.C., has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmanstephens.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org in his name.

SPECIAL REQUEST: With Joseph being a BIG Eagles fan, we kindly request attendees to wear Eagles green in whatever form. No Cowboys fans allowed.