Lt. Col. Joseph J. Oravits Usmc

Lt. Col. Joseph J. Oravits, USMC (Ret.)

AGE: 80 • former Boonton resident

Retired USMC Lt. Col. Joseph J. Oravits, 80, of Spotsylvania County, VA, died Friday, June 28, 2013 at Carriage Hill Health & Rehab Center. Mr. Oravits served during the Korean conflict and four tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated veteran having received the Meritorious Service with Combat V, multiple Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and numerous other medals. Mr. Oravits was a member of the Marine Corps Assn., the Military Officers Assn. of America and a life member of the Military order of the Purple Heart. He was also a member of the Izaak Walton League of America. Mr. Oravits was a member of the Marine Reserve unit which left Dover on September 7, 1950. He was stationed in California until February, 1951, when his outfit sailed for Japan. He was a member of the junior class at Boonton High School at the time he was called into active service. He completed his high school education at Camp Pendleton in California. He graduated with honors, from Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA in 1955.

Survivors include his children, Joanne Oravits, Daniel Oravits, Sharon Marshburn, Carolyn Lancaster, Christopher Oravits, and Virginia Jarman of North Carolina, Robert Oravits of Florida, Linda Holder of California and Michael Oravits of Washington State; his sister, Frances L. Vanderhoof of Montville NJ; 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; stepsons, Michael Zitz, Robert Zitz and Jon Zitz He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Martha Reeder of Mountain Lakes; his wife, Jean in 2009, and his son, Jon Panarese Oravits in Vietnam in 1969.

A military funeral was held on Friday, July 5, at Covenant Funeral Service, with burial at USMC Quantico National Cemetery, in Quantico, VA.