Joe Goeppner

Joe Goeppner, 91, of Pendleton, SC, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013 at Mission Hospital, Asheville. Born in Lusk, Wyoming to the late Gus and Mertle Smith Goeppner, he was a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army where he served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Among his duties were Horse Calvary, and Tail Gunner of a B-17. He obtained an Engineering Degree, held a Doctor of Science degree and a degree in Medical Instrumentation, was a former college professor and his last assignment with the Army was the Pentagon. Mr. Goeppner was also a Mason/Shriner, amateur Ham Radio operator, member of the US Calvary Association and a lifetime member of the 894th Tank Destroyer BN. He is survived by his wife, Winifred Oneill Goeppner; 2 sons, David Sokolowski of Hollywood, CA and Shawn Buller of Washington, DC; 2 daughters, Janice Patterson of Hampton, GA, JoAnn Mitchell of Little Rock, AR and Shannon Cook of Augusta, ME; 12 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the Goeppner family.