Joseph E. Scanlin, Sr.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Scanlin, Sr. USAR

LTC. Joseph E. Scanlin, Sr. (Retired), age 87, of Roanoke, VA passed away on January 5, 2025. He was the husband of the late Susanne (Nitzsche) Scanlin who passed on December 27, 2022. They were married for 53 years. He is survived by his children; LTC Joseph Sepp Scanlin (USAR Retired) and his wife Amy of Williamsburg, VA and Stephanie Earhart and her husband Josh of Smyrna, GA. Joe was also predeceased by his parents James and Mary Scanlin of Ardmore, PA and his brothers; Jim, Jack and Tom.

Joe was a 1954 graduate of West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he and his sculling partner were the 1954 Double Sculling Rowing National Champions in Philadelphia. He was also a 1958 graduate of LaSalle College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Field Artillery.

Joe made a 20 year career of the Army with various assignments in the US, Korea, Thailand, Heidelberg Germany where he met his wife Sue and married in 1969. He also served in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) between 1964-1965 and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. In 1972, Joe was assigned as the last Commander to the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in Roanoke, VA. Joe’s final assignment in 1978 was to retire as a Lieutenant Colonel from Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

After retiring from the Army, Joe returned to Roanoke with his family. He was a lifelong member of the Roanoke Elks Club, Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Joe may have emptied his last canteen at “Fiddlers Green”, but he will always be remembered as a good husband, wonderful dad, a special uncle and a Great Soldier. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday January 25, 2025 at St. Coleman Church 11 Simpson Rd. Ardmore, PA , where the viewing will begin at 9 AM. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery where he’ll rest with his fellow veterans.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Cave Spring Volunteers Rescue Squad (www.csrescue.org)