Joseph Leroy Heath of 457 Clarendon Ave.;Monessen;a member of the Monessen Police Department;died at 1:10 p.m.Tuesday;March 22;1977;in Charleroi Division of Mon Valley Hospital;Inc. Mr.Heath;48;had been in the hospital since he was stricken while on duty last Tueaday (March 8). He became ill shortly after reporting for work as he was walking near Monessen Public Library. He was taken to the hospital by Monessen Ambulance Service and was placed in the intensive care unit. Mr.Heath was born June 14;1928 in East Liverpool;Ohio;a son of the late Sarah and Charles Heath. He was a 1946 graduate of Monessen High School. He was an outstanding athlete in high school;playing three years with the varsity football and basketball teams. He was noted as an outstanding defensive performer in basketball. Mr.Heath was also active as a coach for several years with the Monessen Midget Football League. He was a veteran of the U.S.Army;serving three years. Formerly employed by the Monessen Street Department;Mr.Heath had been a police officer for the last six years. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police of the Mon Valley;Joseph H.Ford American Legion Post 691 of Monessen and I.B.P.O.E.of W.of Monessen. Mr.Heath is survived by his widow;Fannie Heath;two sons;Lance and Joseph Jr.;and two daughters;Sabrina and Kim;all at home;two brothers;Henry of Monessen and Richard of Chicago;two step-brothers;Leon Johnson of Monessen and Alfred Johnson of Indiana;Pa.;one step-sister;Florence Faulks of Charleston;W.Va.;his step-father;Henderson Johnson of Monessen;36 nieces and nephews;and other relatives. Friends will be received at the Beverly C.Draper Funeral Home;608 Sixth St.;Monessen;Wednesday;March 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.and Thursday;March 24 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Friday;March 25 at 11 a.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Monessen;with the Rev.G.E.Mason;pastor;officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Beverly C.Draper Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.