Born in Danville he was raised in Mt. Carmel and was a son of the late Walter S and Mildred Chesney.

He was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School and attended the University of Indiana.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, having last served with the HHD 75^th Spt Bn 1^st infantry Bde, 5^th infantry division, APO 96477.

Joseph retired as Superintendent of the Retreat State Correctional Institute, Hunlock Creek; and previously served as Deputy Superintendent of Frackville SCI.

He was a member and past Exhalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks Frackville Lodge 1533; a member of the American Legion Post #398, Frackville and a member of the PA State Employee Retirees. He enjoyed playing golf and being part of the in-house dart teams at the Frackville Elks.

Joseph is survived by his wife Bonita E. Wolfgang Chesney to whom he was married 50 years; two sisters; Ann Marie Milewski, Levittown and Felicia Tehansky (Michael) Reading; nephews; Mark, Michael and Matthew Tehansky; nieces; Tina and Theresa Tehansky; brother-in laws; Brian (Anita) Wolfgang and Bruce Wolfgang and his Bernese Mountain dog Chloe.

Religious Services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, as celebrant.  Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment with military honors will be at a later date in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.