Rush Township Police Chief Joseph E. Lipsett III passed away Saturday at a Pottsville hospital.

“He was hospitalized and died in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Schuylkill East Medical Center. It was a natural death,” said county coroner David J. Moylan III.

He said the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home, Minersville, is in charge of arrangements.

Lipsett, 65, of Branch Township, was a familiar figure in Schuylkill County.

A retired state trooper who served for 31 years, Lipsett in 2007 was elected county coroner. He served until 2011. In January 2012, he was named a county detective.

In January 2017, Lipsett was hired as Rush Township’s police chief.

He retired from his post as an enforcement officer for the Schuylkill County Office of Domestic Relations to take the job.

Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. has known Lipsett for decades.

“The first wedding I was asked to sing at when I was a young pup was Cele and Joe’s wedding. They were great friends,” he said.

“Schuylkill County has lost a man who exemplified what we all want to be, a man of family and faith, who showed loyalty to friends and gave outstanding service to all he touched in our community,” Halcovage said.

“Joe Lipsett has left a legacy for all those in law enforcement as well. Joe’s keen sense of analysis that went along with common sense made him the consummate police officer as well as public servant. God Bless Joe, his wife Cele, his boys Rory and Brody, his brother Scott and the whole Lipsett family,” he said.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake also knew Lipsett well.

“Joe was a true professional in every sense of that word. He has always been well respected throughout the law enforcement community,” O’Pake said.

“He will be dearly missed by all those that knew him. My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are extended to his family,” he said.

Efforts to reach Rush Township Supervisors Chairman Shawn E. Gilbert were not immediately successful.