Joseph W. Bougher, 32 Cherry St., Wheatland, PA passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Wednesday morning (7-27-11) in the emergency room of UPMC Hospital, Farrell. He was 66.

Mr. Bougher was born June 17, 1945 in Sharon a son of John H. Bougher, Sr. and Betty Lou Miles Bougher.

He was a 1963 graduate of Hickory High School, Hermitage; and received his bachelor's degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Joe began his career teaching music at Lock Haven (PA) High School and then taught in the Homer City (PA) School District. He was currently employed by the Youngstown City School District where he taught band and orchestra at East High School and P. Berry Ross Elementary Grade School. He was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in 2008 while teaching at the Hayes Middle School, Youngstown.

Joe was an accomplished musician playing all instruments, however, he was best known for the violin and keyboards. He also had a beautiful voice and played in the Indiana University of Pennsylvania's orchestra. As a professional musician, he traveled extensively throughout the country as a member of the following bands: Jacks, Raisin Cane, Medusa, Steel Justice and Dakota, with whom he recorded an album. He was also known for his great song writing and in the 1970's wrote songs for Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. His bands opened many concerts for famous musicians during his lifetime, including, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty and Reba McEntire. At one time, Joe owned the Clark House, Clark, PA, and Mr. D's Country Lounge, North Lima, Ohio. Previous employment included the former Suit Yourself Clothing Store in the Hickory Plaza and Giant Eagle in Newton Falls, Ohio. Joe had a passion for all sports. He was a basketball and baseball standout at Hickory High School and Indiana !

University of Pennsylvania. He attributed his success to discipline and training, which was instilled in him by his father. Joe was an avid Cleveland Brown and Indians fan. He had an uncanny gift for numbers and, during football season, he was jokingly referred to as the 'Rainbow Man'. He had a tremendous love for all animals, including his cats, but especially for his beautiful dog, K.D., whom he missed every day. The two of them were inseparable and it was rare to see one without the other. Joe often mentioned being together with K.D. again on the 'Rainbow Bridge'.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Diana Leopardo DeJulia, whom he married September 9, 2000 after dating her for twenty years; his mother and father, John and Betty Lou Bougher, Inverness, Florida; a brother, John H. Bougher, Jr. and his wife Margaret, Clark; two sisters, Mary Lou Benson and her husband Jim, also Inverness; and Jackie Stratton and her husband Jim, Madeira, Beach, Florida; a niece, Heather Bougher, Clark; three nephews, John H. Bougher, III, Athens, Ohio; Christopher Carr and his wife Jeannine, Boynton Beach, Florida; and Jonathan Carr and his wife Shari, Higley, Arizona; four cousins, Patty Lang and her husband Tom, Saegertown; Mary Elizabeth Turner and her husband Woodruff, Pittsburgh; William Phelan, Los Angeles, California; and Tom O'Brien and his wife Lori, North Carolina. He also leaves four step-sons, Tony DeJulia and his fiancé Nancy; Matt DeJulia and his wife Marla; Mike DeJulia and his wife Laura; and Jason DeJulia and his wife Shannon; and six st!

ep-grandchildren, Michael, Marissa, Joey, Isabella, Louie and Adriana DeJulia, all of Hermitage.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society 3005 E. State St., Hermitage, PA 16148; or to Animal Appeal, P.O. Box 197, Sharpsville, PA 16150.

Calling hours will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday (7-31-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday (8-1-11) in the funeral home.