Clarence Josephs

Martinez, GA- Mr. Clarence Emil Josephs, 96, husband of 67 years to Phyllis Vig Josephs entered into rest Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Benton House of Augusta. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Schwartz officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. He was born January 27, 1920, on an eighty-acre farm in Urness Township, MN to the late Peter and Annie Juola Josephs, the second oldest of fifteen children. He attended District 45 Country Schools in Douglas County and graduated Valedictiorian of his class from Kensington High School in 1940. He played baseball for the school, and also joined the school's very first basketball team. Clarence interrupted his chemistry studies at the University of Minnesota to serve in the US Army from 1942 until the end of WWII in 1945. He was a surgical technician for the medical detachment for the 10th Engineers Battalion, Third Infantry Division, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in the following battles and campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Southern France and Rhineland. He was awarded both a Silver Star Medal and a Croix de Guerre with Palm among other honors. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948 as a chemical engineer and married Phyllis Vig soon afterward. He began working for Sylvania Electric Products in Emporium, PA as plant engineer in the production of picture tubes. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, the Men's Club, bowling leagues and community softball teams. In 1964, he relocated his family, which included his wife, five children and his mother-in-law, to Seneca Falls, NY to work for GTE Sylvania. He retired from Phillips after a 34-year career in the industry. He served as President of the congregation at Calvary Lutheran Church in Waterloo, NY and was a member of the Seneca Falls Village Water Board for several years. He enjoyed nature, especially swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching. He also enjoyed reading and learning throughout his lifetime. A fitness enthusiast, he maintained a membership at NYS Chiropractic College Gymnasium and pool well into his 90's. He and his wife relocated to Martinez, GA in 2013, where they became members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by a son: John M. Josephs; sister: Lucille Howell and four brothers: Verner, George, Ray and Dennis Josephs and an infant brother and sister. Other survivors include his sons, Steven (Jane) Josephs of San Diego, CA and Mark (Jill) Josephs of Potsdam, NY; daughters, Kay (Bob) Webster of Martinez, GA and Elaine (Fred) Schreiber of Aliquippa, PA; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Helen Kiedrowski, Marion Schierman, Donald (Tootie) Josephs, James (Kay) Josephs, Evelyn (Ralph) Manning, David Josephs, Robert Michael (Patricia) Josephs and numerous nieces and nephews. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, Georgia 30906.