Joseph Kenneth Marks

Joseph Kenneth Marks, Salt Lake City, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle passed from this life May 10, 2009, at the age of 87.

Joe was born in Reading on Nov. 4, 1921, a son of the late Joseph Daniel Marks and Helen May Bausher. He grew up in Wyomissing, the oldest of three children.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II. Joe developed a love of flying that lasted his entire life. He graduated as a cadet in 1943, then learned to fly B-24 bombers. He and his crew flew 32 missions over Europe, including the D-Day invasion.

Joe received many decorations and citations for valiance and honor, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, EAME Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars, American Theater Campaign Medal, and the Victory Medal. Joe was honorably discharged as a captain in 1946. He then worked as a knitter in the Berkshire Knitting Mills in Wyomissing.

Joe continued his love of flying on weekends for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. In 1951 he was recalled into active duty for the Korean War. He and his unit opened the Dover, Del., Air Force Base. After the Korean War, Joe began his 28-year career with American Airlines and retired as a captain.

On Sept. 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, Joe married Kathern Hansen of Monticello, Utah, the daughter of the late Henry Lloyd Hansen and Catherine Josephine Wood. Joe and Kathern are the proud parents of seven children.

In 1990, Joe and Kathern moved to Salt Lake City. Joe joined the Latter-Day Saints Church in 1999. On Jan. 21, 2000, they and their children were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Joe loved to spend his time traveling, reading, watching and participating in sports, camping, and working on his model railroad. He loved classical and big band music and even his stroke could not stop his singing.

Throughout his life, Joe gained the love, friendship, and admiration of many people. Whether it be his lifelong or new friends, military or professional peers, those in the medical profession who served him, or members of his family, all those who came into Joe's life were touched by his great attitude, generosity, service, wonderful sense of humor, and above all, his love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kathern; his children: Joseph Marks (Carol), Vicki Scholz (the late Darrell), Michael Marks (MaryLee), Debbie Hope (Jim), Terry Hutchings-Baker (Jon), and Kate Ryan (Jim).

Other survivors include 33 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Marilyn Jean Martin and Helen Marie “Tommie” Moyer (Charles), and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Ann; a grandson, Wayne Scholz; and son-in-law, Darrell Scholz.

A special thanks to those from Midas Creek Home Healthcare who assisted Kathern in caring for Joe.

A viewing will be tonight from 7 to 9 in the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 East, Salt Lake City, UT. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. with a viewing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the LDS Winder Chapel, 1495 E. 4705 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Burial will be in Farmington City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Stroke Association: http://www.stroke.org/.