Residence: Monticello (formerly of Reynolds), Indiana
Died: Monday, October 10, 2016
Location: 7:30 a.m., at the White Oak Health Campus of Monticello, Indiana
 
 
Age: 99
Date of Birth: Friday, August 31, 1917
Birth place: Massena, New York

Branch: Navy

Service: World War II
Father: Frank Wozniak
 
Mother: Magdalena (Zaranska) Wozniak
 
Marital Status: Widowed
Resided in: Joe had lived in the Monticello, Indiana, community for the last several years, moving from Reynolds, Indiana.
Funeral Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016
Funeral Location: 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2016, Celebration of Life Service will be at the Miller-Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello, IN
Clergy: John Westfall, Officiate
Burial will take place:
Full Military Rites by the Monticello Veterans Honor Guard of Monticello, Indiana, will be conducted at the I.O.O.F. Riverview Cemetery in rural Monticello, Indiana.
Visitation will be:
4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello, Indiana. A Full Masonic Services conducted at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2016, followed by a Shrine walk-by, concluding with a Celebration of Life Service.
Biographical Information:
Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, Joseph “Joe” Wozniak, age 99, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 10, 2016. Formerly of Reynolds, he resided at White Oak Health Campus of Monticello, Indiana.
Joe was born August 31, 1917, in Massena, New York. He was the only son of Polish immigrants, Frank and Magdalena (Zaranska) Wozniak. To honor his parents in perpetuity, he had their names engraved on the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island.
Joe had an impressive military career, which started during the Depression when he was just 15. He joined the Citizens Military Training Corps (CMTC) for one summer. In 1934 at age 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for one year, and joined the New York National Guard the following year. Joe joined the U. S. Army in 1937 and was assigned to the 52nd Coast Artillery. After training as an electrician he served at both Fort Hancock, New Jersey and Fort Ruger, Hawaii.
After his stint in the army, he attended Indiana Technical School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There he met and married Annabelle Lunguell, on November 14, 1938. When World War II broke out, through a series of unusual events, Joe was activated into the United States Navy. He received training in Sound and Motion Picture, and served all of his time throughout the war on the troop transport ship USS Guilford APA 112. He was discharged from the navy on January 21, 1945, and returned home to Reynolds, Indiana. In 1947 he joined the Army Reserves and achieved Chief Warrant Officer (CW4). He retired in 1977, after thirty years of service. On April 29, 2013, Joe was one of the honored World War II Veterans flown to Washington, D.C. by the Honor Flight organization.
Upon returning home after the war, Joe worked as an electrician for the Monon Shops in Lafayette, Indiana, until he retired in 1977. He then joined the Old Rails Organization and was an active member of that group.
Joe was a member of the Reynolds United Methodist Church of Reynolds, Indiana, where he served on many committees. He held leadership roles at both the local and district level.
After helping organize the first Volunteer Fire Department in Reynolds, Indiana, Joe became its first fire chief. He also served on the Reynolds Town Board.
He was a respected member of the Monticello Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. #154 of Monticello, Indiana, where he attained a 32nd degree. He then joined the Murat Shrine of Indianapolis, Indiana, and for many years, he volunteered to chaperone groups of children to the Shrine Circus in Indianapolis.
As an active member of the White County Council on Aging, he served as a liaison representative at the state level.
Because of his service in the White County region, Joe was known and loved by many people. With his many friends he enjoyed playing golf and going on fishing trips. He also enjoyed hunting with his sons-in-law and nephews. At home he enjoyed gardening and wood-working. Both Joe and Annabelle loved traveling. After two tours of Europe they traveled extensively in the United States and managed to get to all fifty states. After purchasing a motor home, they enjoyed spending winters in Florida or southern Texas.
In all the richness of his life, Joe most values his wife and family. Most treasured were the times spent with his daughters, sons-in-law, grandkids and great-grandkids. Everyone Joe came in contact with was drawn to his wonderful sense of humor, his quick wit, and his outgoing personality. He touched so many lives throughout his own, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Special Services: Full Military Rites by the Monticello Veterans Honor Guard of Monticello, Indiana, will be conducted at the I.O.O.F. Riverview Cemetery in rural Monticello, Indiana.
Memorial Information: Memorials may be given to the Shriners Childrens Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Marriage Information: On November 14, 1941, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he married Annabelle Languell; she passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2013.
Survivors include:
Daughters, Sally (husband Jim) Swingley of Parker City, Indiana, Susan (husband Larry) Wilson of Medford, New Jersey, and Peggy (husband Steve) Sublette of Monon, Indiana; Grandchildren,Laurel (husband Mark) Smith of Carmel, Indiana, Yolande Ferguson of Gilbert, Arizona, Chad (wife Kristy) Wilson of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, Timothy (wife Elizabeth) Wilson of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Shawn (wife Linda) Sublette of Avon, Indiana, and Derek (wife Stacey) Sublette of Indianapolis, Indiana; Great Grandchildren, Jacob, Alyssa, Spencer, Caitlynn, Sam, Logan, Brayden,Scout, andCassandra.
Preceded in Death:
Parents, Frank & Magdalena (Zaranska) Wozniak;Wife, Annabelle Wozniak.
Arrangements by:
Miller - Roscka Funeral Home, 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, Indiana, 47960 ( 574 ) 583 - 8488.