Joseph W. Clabaugh, 85, of Bonneauville, died Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at his residence. He was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth C. (Eckenrode) Clabaugh who died October 27, 2009.

Born April 20, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant Twp., Adams County, he was a son of the late John M., Sr. and Anna A. (Sanders) Clabaugh.

Mr. Clabaugh was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Bonneauville where he held various offices and served on many committees, including the Holy Name Society and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Joe graduated from Delone Catholic High School and served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. He worked for Walter F. Crouse, H.J. Williams and was a salesman for Washington National Insurance Company for 23 years. He worked part time for many years at the Peters Funeral Home, Gettysburg and the Wetzel Funeral Home, Hanover.

Joe was instrumental in forming the Borough of Bonneauville and served as its first mayor. He was a charter member of the Catholic War Veterans and Color Guard, Bonneauville, was currently serving as Treasurer of the Department of PA, CWV and was recognized as CWV Man of the Year in June. He was a member of the CWV Post #1342, Bonneauville, a life member of the ELKS, a member of the Gettysburg American Legion Post 202, Gettysburg and a member of the VFW Post #15, Gettysburg.

He is survived by two sons, Dennis "Duke" Clabaugh and his wife Michelle of Dillsburg and Daniel Clabaugh and his wife JoAnne of Florida; two daughters, Constance Slagle of New Oxford and Mary Reiter and her husband Doug of Harrisburg; three brothers, Robert E. Clabaugh, Gettysburg, John M. Clabaugh, Jr. and his wife Barb of Gettysburg and James A. Clabaugh and his wife Fran of Hanover; two sisters, Mary Selby of Littlestown and Anna G. Sneeringer and her husband Bernard of Bonneauville, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna A. Ebert; brothers, Bernard J. Clabaugh, Francis E. Clabaugh, Clarence A. Clabaugh and Guy L. Clabaugh; sisters, Helen M. Oaster and Mildred E. Bowling.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 12 E. Hanover St., Bonneauville, with Father Augusty Valomchalil as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to meet at the Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday to process to the church. A viewing and time to share memories with the family will be held between 6 and 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. Burial with full military honors conducted by the Adams County Allied Veterans Honor Guard will be in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church Cemetery, Bonneauville.

Serving as pallbearers will be Duke Clabaugh, Dan Clabaugh, Jarred Ebert, Joshua Clabaugh, Terry Bowling, Laura Slagle, Elizabeth Reiter and Andrea Clabaugh.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in Mr. Clabaugh's memory to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 12 E. Hanover St., Gettysburg, PA 17325.

To share memories of Mr. Clabaugh please click on "sign guest book" above. A video tribute will be posted later.