BANGE, Joseph Bernard, age 97, of Hamilton, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep

February 6, 2021 at his home. His wife of 71 years, Phyllis, was at his side.

Survivors include Phyllis, seven children- Jeanne (Fritz Bell) Hogue, Jim (Anna Marie) Bange

Ray (Margaret "Peggy") Bange, Mark (Pam) Bange, Ann (Todd) Smith, Mary (Rob)

Gladstone, Mike (Shelby Gernon) Bange- 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and

sibling Donald (Margie-deceased) Bange of Centerville. Joe was preceded in death by his

parents Joseph and Mary (Tritschler) Bange and siblings Rev. Ralph Bange, Mary (Hal) Fish,

Thelma (Harry) Duccilli, Sister Ruth Bange, and Dorothy (Stan) Duke. Joe was born in Hamilton during 1923.

On August 19, 1950, he married Phyllis Hardwick ofBluffton, Ohio.

Joe met Phyllis while working as a co-op student at the Triplet Corporation in

Bluffton. Joe had many interests none greater than his faith and family. He was devoted to

Phyllis and loved his children and grandchildren greatly. Mr. Bange was a life-long active

member of St. Peter in Chains Church. He was involved with many roles and projects at St.

Peter and Badin High School. The most visible is the design and construction of the bell

tower at St. Peter.

Joe was an excellent academic student and musician. He graduated from Hamilton Catholic

High School. He earned a scholarship to the University of Dayton (UD). At UD, in addition

to his studies, Joe was the Drum Major. His academics were interrupted by WWII.

Following Pearl Harbor, he left UD and enlisted with the Army.

He served in Europe and arrived on the Normandy Beach just days after D-Day. He was very

humbled by his experience. He was in the Signal Corps and Signal Installation Company.

Often, he and one or two other soldiers would have to travel beyond combat lines to install

communication lines and equipment. For this reason, the small group was often on their own

for periods of time. Joe's orders were signed by Eisenhower, and he recalled that this carried

considerable authority when the small group would arrive in a town with no other support.

One Christmas, while on leave in the Ardennes Forest, the Battle of the Bulge overtook the

area and active duty unexpectedly resumed as they joined the action. In yet another major

event, he crossed the Rhine River at the Ludendorff Bridge during the Battle of Remagen.

One of his strongest memories was that several of the Allies' generals knew him by first

name. On one occasion, he drove the generals to a concentration camp shortly after it was

liberated. Joe said those sights "stay with you." It was these experiences in the war that

forged his outlook to never waste time, use it productively, make the most of life, and

appreciate everyone.

After the war, Joe finished his education at the University of Cincinnati. He earned his

degree in Electrical Engineering and was a very skilled engineer across multiple disciplines,

as well as a great mathematician. He had a long and distinguished career at Western States

Machine Company. He started as an Electrical Engineer. He became the Manager of

Research and Development followed by the Director of Engineering. Subsequently, he was

elected to the Board of Directors.

He made many product innovations and was awarded several patents. Joe led the

development and testing of the world's first truly four quadrant regenerative drive. Joe

presented and published this breakthrough technology through the Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

His work with Western States took him around the world at a time when global travel

required much greater effort. During one adventuresome layover flight in Uganda, he was

unexpectedly detained by Idi Amin's supporters for several days. He often worked with

global customers to install the company's machinery. In many cases, this required that he

also teach the local electric power company how to produce and deliver reliable electricity.

As a result of these extended interactions, he would experience the local culture, and bring

it home to share through photos, stories, and products made by local artisans and

craftsmen.

In addition to his professional success, Joe practiced many trades and was a skilled

craftsman. He personally built an addition to the first family home. Later he designed a new

family home and oversaw its construction. He could practice any trade and could build or

repair most any electrical or mechanical device. One of his hobbies was wood turning, and

he enjoyed making intricate pieces. He also enjoyed playing bridge and golf. One light-

hearted memory was making a hole-in-one at Potter's Golf Course. He loved to swing dance

and ballroom dance with Phyllis. They attended Big Band events and local dance clubs.

They could really cut a rug and had great fun dancing.

Some special memories include trips with Phyllis through Europe. Other memorial trips were

to Africa, Australia, and The Vatican.

Joe lived his faith through his daily life. Common impressions of Joe are that he was always

cheerful, very intelligent, a gentleman at all times, always willing to help, a wonderful

father, a fabulous husband, and that it was a joy for him to visit with family and friends. He

was loved dearly and will be missed by many.

The family would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for the team of care givers who

have so kindly cared for Joe.

Prayers will be offered at 12noon Wednesday in the Zettler Funeral Home , 2646 Pleasant Ave.

followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30pm at St. Peter Church. Visitation will be

from 11:00am-12noon Wednesday in the funeral Home.

Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Peter in Chains or

the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Reading, Ohio. Online register book available at

www.zettlerfuneralhome.com