Joseph Anthony Zang

Joseph A. Zang, age 94, of Fort Collins, CO, died October 20, 2012. Visitation will be after 8:30 am Friday, October 26, 2012, with funeral services starting at 10:00 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, York 1st Ward, 2100 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403. Interment, with full military honors, will be held at 2:30 pm Friday, October 26th at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, in Annville, PA.

Joseph Anthony Zang was born July 20, 1918, in Tyrone, PA to Joseph and Provadenza Zanghi. He grew up in Tyrone and lived many years in Altoona, PA moving to Baltimore, Maryland in 1958. He also lived for a time in Mesa, AZ and moved to Fort Collins in 2008.

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. 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, PA. He worked as a furniture buyer/salesman with the Chesapeake Furniture and Appliance Store in Baltimore, MD (also known as Shiller's). He was always a loving husband and father first.

He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 68 years; four sons, Joseph (and Linda) Zang of Timonium, MD, Ken (and Carole) Zang of Las Cruces, NM, Gary (and Debbie) Zanghi of Stewartstown , PA, and Fred (and Margie) Zang of Parkville, MD; his daughter, Joyce (and Dale) Nolte of Fort Collins, CO; his sister, Mary Nelson of Anchorage, AK; 21 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren with one on the way. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Angeline and Louise.