Joseph R. Garber of Ormond Beach FL died on March 18, 2018, after a sudden illness. He was born May 6, 1923, in Philadelphia PA. He graduated from high school in Hanover Township PA in 1942 and attended college in Wilkes-Barre PA. He is survived by his wife, Joan; a son, Joseph R. Garber Jr.; two granddaughters, Sarah Palm and Kristen Sweeney; a great granddaughter Beatrice Sweeney, three brothers, Robert Garber, William Garber, and Jack Garber, and a sister, Barbara Stahl. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the US Army on December 7, 1942, one year after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After basic training in Miami FL, he was transferred to Scott Field IL to attend radio operator school and learned Morse code. After earning his wings in gunnery school at Arlington TX, he was later assigned to Salt Lake City UT where his B17 crew was formed. After months of training, they were transported to the 96 ^th Bomb Group, 338 ^th Bomb Squadron, in Snetterton Heath (The Falcon's Nest), England. He participated in 13 missions over Germany and Normandy, France. During a mission over Germany, his plane was shot down, and he and the crew were captured by German soldiers. He endured torture by his captors and was sent to Stalag Luft IV, a German prisoner-of-war camp at Gross Tychow and later to Stalag Luft I. The prison camp was liberated by the Russian army in May 1945 and he was returned to the US, being honorably discharged in October 1945. In his civilian life, he served on the board of directors for the 8 ^th Air Force Historical Society and was president of the 96 ^th Bomb Group. He was president of Post 2692 of the VFW and was also Commander of the State of Florida American Ex-Prisoners of War. Since 2000 he was involved in speaking at schools to educate children on World War II history. He worked diligently to develop and raise support for the Veterans Museum and Education Center in Daytona Beach FL. He cherished and honored the American flag and considered it a privilege and an honor to have served his country. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, Florida. A burial service will be held Friday, April 13, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, located in Mims, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements entrusted to Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.  Condolences and memories are welcome to be shared via this online guestbook.