Joseph Howard Handley, age 86, passed away Thursday, October 20, 2011, at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He lived in Arizona the past 11 years with his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia "Patty" and Paul Schultz. Joseph was born in Erie, Pa. on December 14, 1924, son of the late Joseph and Emily Handley. Joseph was a graduate of East High School, and proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 6773, Union City, and a member of the American Legion for 52 years. Joseph retired from General Electric where he worked as a welder. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Handley; and two sisters, Ruth Arnold and Marge Behringer. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth "Cookie" Handley (maiden name Fay); and his second wife, Sylvia Handley. He is survived by two children, daughter, Patricia Schultz, husband, Paul; and son, Shawn Handley; grandchildren, Christopher Schultz, Tamara Schultz, and Carrie Rice; two great-granddaughters, Kayleigh and Tayler Rice; and a younger sister, Mary Lou Spannbauer, of Oswego, N.Y. He has several surviving nieces and nephews Friends and family are invited to join his family for a memorial service in his honor at Lakeside Cemetery, 1718 East Lake Road, on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. His remains will be interned at his final resting place beside his parents.
Published in the Erie Times-News on May 20, 2012
