Joseph Arthur Humbert

Joseph “Brud” Arthur Humbert, 91 of Washington, died Thursday, January 9, 2014 in the Donnell House. He was born May 21, 1922 in Washington, the son of Thomas Sherrard Humbert and Violet Louise Joslin Humbert. Mr. Humbert left school in his senior year to serve in the U. S. Army Air Forces during World War II where he received a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. He graduated from the United States Army Air Forces Technical School and served as a flight engineer. His aircraft crew regularly flew supplies of gasoline from India to China, over the Himalayas, know as “Flying the Hump”. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from November 1942 and honorably discharged in November 1945. He served in the 24th Combat unit and the China –Burma-India Theater. He later received his high school diploma on November 1, 2001 at Trinity High School, at a ceremony for World War II Veterans. He worked at the Pennsylvania Transformer Company for several years and Washington Steel Company. He went on to work for the Washington County Housing Authority as a supervisor until his retirement. He was a very kind and soft spoken man, who loved to tell stories of his experiences in the Army, especially when he and his crew had to bail out of their B24 airplane over the Himalayan Mountains, because of engine failure. They all survived and walked for a week before reaching help. He became a member of the Caterpillar Club because of successfully parachuting out of a disabled aircraft. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post #175. He belonged to the Button and Bows square dance club for several years. He was a member of the Washington Hospital Auxiliary volunteering for several years, until he had to retire because of health reasons. On November 17, 1942 he married Elizabeth Patricia “Betty” Fonner who died December 25, 1999. Surviving are two sons, Joseph A. Humbert Jr. of Washington, Michael S. (Marsha) Humbert of Connellsville; a daughter, Patricia L. (Tom) O’Connor of Washington; eight grandchildren, Tamie (John) Devenney, Kelly “George” (Michael) Gray, Chris (Heather) O’Connor, Jason (Tina) Humbert, Nick (Renae) Humbert, Dana (David) Woodbury, Ryan (Rachel) Humbert and Andrea (Tommy) Karpency; 15 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are a brother, Thomas Humbert; two sisters, Janis Garceau and Ellen White; a daughter in law, Patricia Ann Humbert. Friends will be received Sunday, January 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, January 13th from noon to 1:30 p.m.. at William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Ave, Washington. A service will be held Monday, January 13 at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Thomas D. O’Neil officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation can be made to Donnell House, c/o of Washington Health Systems Hospice Care, 155 Wilson Ave, Washington, PA 15301