Joseph Battah, 48, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012, in Erie.

Joe was born Dec. 20, 1963 in El Paso, Texas, the son of Bassil Battah and Molly Bryant. He received his GED in Colorado, and attended college in Colorado, as well.

He was united in marriage on May 19, 2001, to Tonya Howard. She survives.

Joe was a restaurateur, and had been the proprietor of Joey’s Big Grill in Chanute. He had been a resident of the Chanute area for 15 years.

In addition to his wife, Tonya, he is survived by his father, Bassil Battah; his stepfather, Ross Bryant; two sons, Joey Battah, Australia, and Troy Howard, Chanute; a daughter, Trinia Howard, Chanute; a brother, Bassilito Battah and wife, Tata, of Venezuela; a sister, Susie Horn and husband, Jim, of Panama City Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a host of admiring friends, whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his mother, and two brothers, Elias and George Battah.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Monday, August 13 at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel, Chanute. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery, Thayer.

The family requests memorials, on behalf of Joe, be made to the Joseph Battah Memorial Fund, in care of Tonya Battah, these may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com