Antone Charles Zuber

Antone Charles Zuber, age 97, of Aberdeen, MD died on December 10, 2009 at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium from complications of congestive heart failure. Born in Edmunds, ND to the late Joseph and Frances (Wojeck) Zuber. Beloved husband of the late Bertha Zuber (Heil) for over 36 years. Dear father of Nancy Zuber of Chattanooga, TN, Richard Zuber of Charlotte, NC, Jason Zuber of Aberdeen and Mary Willard and husband Mark of Bel Air. Cherished grandfather of Ted Long of Parish, FL, Mei Li Zuber of Chattanooga, TN, Danielle Willard of Bel Air, Jessie Willard of Fairfax, VA, Olivia Willard of Baltimore and 3 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers: John, Frank and Walter Zuber and sisters: Sophia Marchi, Marie Ranos, Mildred Gallagher and Frances Jaskier. Captain Zuber began his Army career in 1934 as a Private with the 4th U.S. Cavalry at Ft. Meade, SD. His career included 21 years of active Federal Service. He was assigned to the US Army Air Corp and the National Geographic Society in Rapid City, South Dakota to support the Stratosphere Flight of 1934 (the Explorer I and Explorer II were the first high altitude balloon flights into the stratosphere). He was later assigned to the Harley Davidson plant as the Army began to transition from the Horse Calvary to mechanized travel. In 1943 he was transferred to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry at Camp Gordon, GA. In 1944 he left to fight in WWII in Germany. While in Germany he was a member of General Patton's Ghost Troops. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and was involved in the liberation of the Ebensee Concentration Camp in Austria. He left Europe in 1945 for Camp Bowie, TX. In 1946 while still with the 3rd U.S. Cavalry he was transferred to Ft. George G. Meade. He was sent to Korea in 1950 with the 19th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company and he received a battlefield commission. In 1952 he returned to the U.S. and was assigned as Motor Officer, Ordnance Replacement Training Center, APG. In 1954 he was reassigned to the ROTC Summer Training Camp at APG serving as shop officer in the Automotive Branch. He was released from active duty with the rank of Captain in April 1955 and reenlisted in the Reserves. Upon reenlistment he was assigned to HQ and HQ Detachment, 2151 Area Service Unit, APG, serving in the Accounting Branch of the Comptroller's Office. He was awarded the following decorations and awards: Bronze Star Medal (for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy-European Theater of Operations), Good Conduct Medal with 2 clasps, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 7 Bronze Service Stars and the UN Service Medal. Antone was a Mason for over 60 years after joining the lodge in Odenton while stationed at Ft. George G. Meade. He was a master mechanic and enjoyed working on automobiles. His hobbies included gardening, neighborhood watch, swimming at HCC, bike riding, auctions, watching Lawrence Welk and The Price Is Right. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts for many years. He enjoyed playing cribbage and pinochle, the Chesapeake Bay and spent a lot of time visiting and walking on the 'Boardwalk' in Havre De Grace. He loved his family, friends and neighbors. Everyone knew that when they visited Captain Zuber that they would be entertained by colorful stories. He was devoted to his country, the American flag and always emphasized the importance of education and helping others. The family would like to thank Stella Maris Hospice, Harford Memorial Hospital and Dr. Peter Holt for their wonderful care of Captain Zuber during his illness. Pallbearers will be Bob Willard, Bill Willard, Mark Willard, Ted Long, Danielle Willard and Joe Delfino. The family received friends and held a funeral service in the family owned Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A. of Aberdeen last Monday and Tuesday.Interment with presentation of Full Military Honors will be February 9, 2010 at 1p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery (please be at cemetery admin building by 12:30p.m.) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or woundedwarriorproject.org Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001