Joseph L. Malsom, long- time Oak Harbor resident, passed away May 29, 2014, one day shy of his 91st birthday.

Joe was born to German immigrant farmers, Nick and Marie Hartman-Malsom, on May 30, 1923, in the West Kansas town of Park.

He was the fifth of nine children.

Life on the farm was tough for the Malsom family. Through love, strong faith, hard work, perseverance and caring neighbors, they were able to survive both the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

As his sister Margaret put it, “They were poor, but didn’t know it because everyone was poor.”

Joe remained on the farm until May of 1941 when he joined the Navy to serve his country during World War II. After his indoctrination and training he was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier CV2 USS Lexington as an Aviation Machinist Mate.

He was aboard the “Lex” during the Battle of the Coral Sea, when she was severely damaged by the Japanese and later sank.

Joe had many duty stations during his Navy career including the USS Copahee and Guadalcanal as a member of CASU 14. He remained on active duty until March of 1948 when he separated honorably as a 1st Class Petty Officer.

Joe met Lillian B. Briggs while stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. The couple was married on Sept. 7, 1947. They were charter members of St. Augustine Catholic Church and one of the first couples to be married there. Their union was blessed with two sons, Joseph Mark born in 1954 and Daniel Nick born in 1960. Upon leaving the Navy, Joe worked as an automotive mechanic and inspector for 31 years with the Federal Civil Service until his retirement in 1978.

After Lillian’s death in August of 1994, Joe courted and subsequently married Shirley Goedert in June of 1995. Shirley preceded him in death in October 2010.

Joe was a devout Catholic. He was a member of Whidbey Fidalgo Assembly of 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and an active volunteer of St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Joe served in many capacities at St. Augustine, including Eucharistic Minister and usher, and assisted in numerous maintenance duties.

Joe was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392 of Oak Harbor.

Joe is survived by children Joseph Mark (Deena) Malsom of Oak Harbor and Daniel Nick (Sharon) Malsom of Everett, Wash., and stepchildren Chris Neighbors of Oak Harbor and Stacey Johnson of Oroville, Wash.

Also surviving are grandchildren Renee and Jacob Malsom; step-grandchildren Allison Lee, Angela Tull and Sara Johnson; and step great-granddaughter Lili.

Siblings Margaret Powers of Quinton, Kan., Marsalena Marshall of Chadron, Neb., and Frank (Dorothy) Malsom of Wellington, Kan., and numerous nieces, nephews and their children also survive.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wives Lillian and Shirley; brother Phillip; and sisters Elizabeth Ann Malsom, Theresa Nance, Viola Base and Catherine Clay.

At one point Joe wrote information to be used in his obituary. His final thought was, “Good Bye and God Bless to all of my Friends and Family.”

Joe, we will miss you.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, June 6, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Rev. Michael O’Neil officiating.

A reception followed immediately after Mass in the Parish Hall. Private family Rites of Committal will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date.

The family suggests memorials to St. Augustine Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home.

To share condolences and memories you are invited to visit Joe’s Book of Memories page at their website www.wallinfuneralhome.com