Joseph K. Virant, Sr., 79, of Sebastian, Florida, passed away on July 24, 2024 in Sebastian.

Joseph was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 20, 1944 to Joseph L. and Angela Virant. He married Mildred Sordelet on September 21, 1963. He served in the United States Army. Joseph worked as a railroad conductor for Metro North Railroad in New York for more than 20 years before
retiring.

Joe and Millie raised their family in Brewster, New York before retiring and moving to Boca Raton, Florida in 1992, where they spent 13 years  prior to moving to Sebastian in 2005.

While in Florida, Joseph was a member of SNPJ (Slovene National Benefit Society) as he was very proud of his Slovenian heritage. He loved playing his button box and listening to polka music, as well as making homemade Slovenian sausage. More recently, Joseph has been a member of Elks Lodge 1774 in Vero Beach, Florida. He enjoyed his weekly poker games with his buddies.

Joseph is preceded in death by Mildred, his loving wife of 55 years, and his grandson, Joseph Thomas Virant.

Joseph is survived by his daughters, Joanne Virant Torres of Port Saint Lucie, Florida and Amy L. Haines (Ryan) of Bluffton, South Carolina; his son, Joseph K. Virant, Jr. (Adelaida) of Boca Raton, Florida; his grandchildren – Matthew Torres, Samantha Torres, Sydney Battersby, Madison Battersby, Patrick Virant, and Isabella Virant; as well as his sister, Patricia Jones, of Eastlake, Ohio.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Any donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.