Obituary of Joseph Daniel Horlacher

Joseph Daniel Horlacher (age 89) of 1799 Whitehill Circle, Jamestown, NY, died in the early hours of Dec. 24, 2013. He was born Oct. 2, 1924 in Dunkirk, New York, and grew up in the Fredonia area. He was the son of Margaret Weir Horlacher and John Horlacher, Sr. He was in front-line combat for six months in France and Germany during World War II and was part of the 62nd Armored Infantry Battalion Raider Platoon (14th Armored Division). He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. At one time, an artillery shell landed as a dud by his head. When the war ended, he was assigned to the riot squad which guarded the American Commandant’s headquarters in Burghausen, Germany. He then went to the administration of a prisoner-of-war camp in Garmisch/Partenkirchen, Germany. He was discharged a Corporal. He was also given the New York State Conspicuous Service Award. The 14th Armored Division was named “The Liberators” because they liberated so many villages and war camps in their push across Germany. Joseph graduated from the University of Buffalo where he was elected by the faculty to Beta Gamma Sigma. He obtained his MBA degree from the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. He worked for Remington Rand International in New York City and later was a Division Manager of the former Watson Manufacturing Company in Jamestown, New York. He also spent several years with the U. S. Department of Commerce. He was widely travelled both in the U.S. and abroad. He was a member of the American Legion Ira Lou Spring Post 149, Amvets Post 1996 and a past member of LaFayette Lodge F @ A.M. in New York City. He was a member of the 14th Armored Division National Association and a past president of the 14th Armored Division Association, northeast chapter. He loved nature, animals, and was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife Mary Grace Felton Horlacher, whom he married Dec. 6, 1961, three daughters (Gretchen Grace Horlacher, Mary Catherine Geiger and Erin Elise Horlacher), two grandsons (Joshua Geiger and Thadius Geiger), and two sisters (Elizabeth Horlacher and Susanna Robbins). He was preceded in death by four sisters (Theresa Horlacher, Marian Horlacher, Catherine Pieper, Margaret Waite), and a brother (John Horlacher Jr.). Mary and Joe celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this year. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Busti Fire Department, 886 Mill Road, Jamestown, NY, 14701. The Hubert Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. You can leave a condolence to the family by visiting www.hubertfuneralhome.com. Website by Billie Jean Hubert.