Joseph Anthony Zang, 94, Fort Collins, Colo., died Saturday.
He was born in Tyrone, son of Joseph and Provadenza Zanghi. He grew up in Tyrone and lived many years in Altoona, moving to Baltimore, Md., in 1958. He also lived for a time in Mesa, Ariz., and moved to Fort Collins in 2008.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Barbara; four sons: Joseph Zang and wife, Linda, of Timonium, Md., Ken Zang and wife, Carole, of Las Cruces, N.M., Gary Zanghi and wife, Debbie, of Stewartstown and Fred Zang and wife, Margie, of Parkville, Md.; a daughter, Joyce Nolte and husband, Dale, of Fort Collins, Colo.; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and a sister, Mary Nelson of Anchorage, Alaska.
He was preceded in death by two sisters: Angeline and Louise.
Joe served in the U.S. Army during WWII and received a Silver Star for bravery and two Purple Heart commendations for injuries received during the several battles in which he participated. He was assigned to the "Lucky" 7th Armored Division. It was during the war that Joe met Barbara Saint at a USO dance in Fort Benning, Ga., and they married soon after they met. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a first lieutenant at the end of the war.
Joe enjoyed playing the trumpet throughout his life. He was a musician and participated for many years in the band called the California Nighthawks in Altoona. He worked as a furniture buyer/salesman with the Chesapeake Furniture and Appliance Store in Baltimore (also known as Shiller's). He was always a loving husband and father first.
Friends will be received from 8:30 until the 10 a.m. funeral service Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, York 1st Ward, 2100 Hollywood Drive, York. Interment with full military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Visit www.goesfuneralcare.com to share a memory or send condolences.
