SANDPOINT, Idaho – Joseph Samuel Kassebaum, 88, of Sandpoint, Idaho, and formerly of the Warsaw-Pierceton area, died June 29, 2012, in his residence.
He was born Dec. 30, 1923, in Bakers Corner, to Harry and Mary Kassebaum. On June 30, 1946, in Winona Lake, he married Mearlene Engle, who died in 2010.
On June 6, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps achieving the rank of master gunnery sergeant. He served his country faithfully until his discharge on July 15, 1969. He served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. While in the Marines he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for injuries received in Korea.
While he was in the service he lived in eight states, finally moving to Sandpoint in 1978 from Oceanside, Calif.
He was a member of Evangelical Free Church and the Fleet Reserve Association.
Surviving are two children, JoEllen Kassebaum, San Diego, Calif., and Bruce A. Kassebaum, Vista, Calif.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara R. Harmon, Anderson. He also was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Pack River Cemetery with military rites by members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Coffelt Funeral Service, Sandpoint, is in charge of arrangements.
