Photo courtesy of Jagers and Sons Funeral Home
Nov 11, 1925 - Jul 5, 2017
Dear Joy and Family: I just heard of Joe's passing. Be assured of my love and prayers.
Fran Lavelle
July 23, 2017 | Starkville, MS
Deepest sympathy to the family. He will be missed by many. Kindest regards.
Roy Whitmore
July 21, 2017 | Athens, OH
John, Joe and family - Extending sincere sympathy to you during this difficult time. My prayers are with you. Judy Woolery
July 16, 2017
Joy, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family at this difficult time. May you share love and laughter with those around you.
Lynn Zemmer & Paul Boyd
July 16, 2017 | Plymouth, England, FL | Friend
Joyce, My condolence to you and your family. Joe was a great person to me and my family for many years
Dick Jones
July 15, 2017
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your hero. My Father also served in the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Varsity. They truly were "the Greatest Generation"
Patricia Bowers
July 14, 2017 | Camp Hill, PA
Tom and I send our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Yanity family. May you be comforted by warm and happy memories.
Jan Hodson
July 14, 2017 | Athens, OH
On behalf of the "Scions of the 17th Airborne Division, Inc." and the entire 17th Airborne family, please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Trooper Joseph Yanity, who was a "Life Member" of the 17th Airborne Division Association. The Scions organization stands with his family at this sad time.
Edward Siergiej Jr.
July 14, 2017 | Danbury, CT
My condolences to Joyce, John, Joe, Jennifer and their families. I know your father and husband will be missed. My thought are with you.
Mary Yanity
July 13, 2017 | Indiana, PA
Joseph Blair Yanity Jr.,91, of Bradenton Florida, formally of Athens, OH and Homer City, PA died July 5,2017. He was born in Homer City, son of the late Joseph B. Yanity Sr. and Pierina M. Carcelli Yanity on Nov. 11, 1925. He later moved to Coal Run, PA and attended Elders Ridge High School in Pennsylvania, then moving to Athens, OH in November 1941, graduating from Athens High School. He was a National Honor Society graduate and a gifted football and baseball player. Later in 1943, Joe was drafted into active duty (WWII) in the U.S. Army Parachute troops-European Theater of Operation, 17th Airborne Division. He jumped into combat, behind enemy lines in The Battle of the Bulge. Then as part of the 82nd Airborne Division, he served in occupation of Berlin, Germany until 1946. He continued his service with the Ohio National Guard until 1955 at New Lexington, OH. He returned home and attended Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond, KY starring in football. He was named to the All Ohio Valley Conference team from 1946 thru 1948 and graduating with highest academic honors in 1949. He was drafted to play pro-football by the New York Giants but decide to attend Law school. He graduated from Washington and Lee University, School of Law at Lexington, VA in 1952. During his time at Lexington, VA, he managed and played in a dance band "The VMI Commanders". He returned to Athens, OH and taught high school at Coolville, OH until he received his law license in 1953. Besides being in various partnerships and private practice, he served as Athens County Prosecuting Attorney from 1957 to 1961. He practiced law in Athens, OH for 51 years. Joe served many boards including: Area Six Health Systems Agency of Marietta; AAA South Central Ohio, Portsmouth & West Penn., West Virginia, Pittsburgh, PA; Bank One of Athens; Ohio University Foundation; Ohio Valley Health Services Foundation; Sheltering Arms Hospital Foundation; United Appeal of Athens; National Alumni Board of Washington and Lee School of Law, Lexington VA; Eastern Kentucky University National Alumni Association and Eastern Kentucky Foundation, Richmond, KY. He also served on the Veterans Commission of Athens County from 1961 to 1987. Joe loved football, besides playing in high school and college, he officiated area high school football from 1954 to 1965 and Major College football from 1961 to 1981. He was later named to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was a member of The Athens Catholic Community, St. Paul's and Christ the King Catholic Churches. He was a life member of the following organizations: American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus 3rd & 4th Degree, 17th Airborne Division Association and the Athens Elk Lodge. On January 9, 1954 he married Joyce Ann Gilham at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Athens. Joe is survived by his wife Joyce; three children, Joseph B. (Kathy) Yanity III, John M. (Amy) Yanity both of Athens, OH and Jennifer A. (Joe) McVey of Coshocton, OH; six grandchildren, Molly Katherine Yanity of Hamden, CT, Joseph B. Yanity IV of Seattle WA, Elizabeth M. (Greg) Jones of Athens, OH, Mia Pierina Shestina, of Los Angeles, CA, Mary Joyce (Brian) Haines of Athens, OH and James John (Amanda) Shestina of Los Angeles, CA; four great grandchildren, Riley and Haley Shields and Blair and Quinn Haines all of Athens, OH; a brother, Robert (Nancy) Yanity of Portland OR; a sister in law, Betty Ann Yanity of Ridgefield, CT; a brother in law, Gus Bondi of Marco Island, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dr. Peter V. Yanity; two sisters, Marion Yanity Lavelle and Edna Yanity Bondi. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mill & Stewart Streets, Athens, Ohio with Msgr. Donald Horak as Celebrant. Burial of cremains will be in West Union St. Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday 5-8 p.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Vigil for the Deceased will be Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion and VFW Post 9893 Honor Guards at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 3355 26th St. West, Bradenton, FL. 34205. Please share a memory, a note of condolence, or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
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