Joe Sabo, of Merced, CA passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the age of 92. Joe was born November 6, 1921 in Brownsville, PA. The son of Joseph and Anna Sabo, Joe was the third of six children. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marie & Emma; brothers, John & Barney; and his wife of 58 years, Norma Crookham Sabo. Joe is survived by his sister, Teri Everson and daughter, Jody (Art Quaster); step-grandson, Bill and son, Kurt Sabo, his wife, Rose Ann Eager Sabo; and numerous nieces & nephews. Joe had nine stepchildren and their spouses, and thirty two step-grandchildren.
As a young man Joe worked on the river boats on the Monongahela River and in the coal mines with his father. Joe enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was stationed at Merced Army Air Field as a Tech Sergeant, where he met Norma Crookham. They were married in Atwater on June 28, 1944. In 1946 Joe returned home from serving our country in the South Pacific during World War II. Joe worked for his brother-in-law, Ken Riggs, as General Manager of Riggs Service, Riggs Ambulance, and Merced Medical Supply.
Joe was the Chief Deputy Coroner under Ken Riggs from 1955 until 1981. In February 1981 Joe was appointed Merced County Coroner by the Board of Supervisors and was subsequently re-elected for two additional 4-year terms. Before retiring in 1993 as the last elected County Coroner at the age of 71, Joe established a new coroner’s facility, formally dedicated as the Joseph F. Sabo Merced County Coroner Facility. He also assisted in the consolidation of the Coroner’s office with the Merced County Sheriff’s office.
Joe was active in many organizations in Merced such as the American Legion, Elks Lodge, Merced Downtown Rotary and Toastmasters. Joe was involved in schools, recreation, and the arts. He served as chairman for the City Parks & Recreation Commission, a volunteer for the Merced County Fire Department, Multicultural Art Center and was past President of Our Lady of Mercy Dads Club.
Joe and Rose Ann Eager were married in Twain Harte, CA on May 12, 2006 and resided in Merced.
A Rosary will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 459 W. 21st, Merced on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 6:00pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 11:00am at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, 671 E. Yosemite Ave, Merced with a reception to follow at St. Patrick’s Hall. Interment will be on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:00am at Winton Cemetery, 7651 Almond Ave, Winton, CA.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Mercy Medical Center, Anberry Rehab, Amie Marchini’s Home Care and Hinds Hospice for their kind assistance. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.
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