Lt. Col. Joseph M. Mallard US Air Force, 94, of Traverse City passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Munson Hospice House surrounded by his family who love him deeply.

Joseph was born on August 27, 1922 in Detroit, MI to the late Michael and Mary Ann Malendoski.

He married the stunningly beautiful Sophie Joan Szczygiel on June 23, 1945 in Hamtrack, MI. The first time he saw her he said "wow." Joe and Sophie's love was beautiful and deep for 63 years. Together they shared a rich life as Joseph served his country and raised three children who feel so blessed to have this remarkable man as their father and to travel around the world together.

Honorably Joseph served our Country in the United States Air Force. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. He was assigned to the 5th Air Force, 345th Air Apaches bomb group with the 500th Squadron known as the Rough Raiders. The Air Apaches, flying B-25's, were one of the most highly decorated units in the Pacific War. After the war Joseph continued his military career. At the start of the Korean War he transitioned to flying jet interceptors F-94 and F-89 on the Alaskan Russian border. Joseph was transferred to California to be an aircraft commander of the RC-121 Warning Star aircraft. The US Air Force sent him to University of California Berkeley, School of Business for instruction of computer programming for the North American Defense Command (NORAD). In 1958 he was assigned as a military advisor to the Taiwanese (Chinese Nationalist) Air Force. Upon completion he was assign to NORAD's Air Defense System. In 1967 Joseph was assigned to Germany to Special Projects and Testing for the US Joint Command. In 1970 he retired as a Lt. Colonel Joseph Mallard.

Joseph was truly an officer and a gentleman, greeting each person with kindness and respect. He had a special twinkle in his eye that will be dearly missed by all who encountered him.

Joe and Sophie Mallard established their summer residence on beautiful Duck Lake Peninsula 55 years ago and permanent residence 28 years ago.

Surviving Joe are his children John (Christine) Mallard of Duck Lake Peninsula, Ronald (Dawn) Mallard of North Port, FL and Susan (Bruce) Savett of Santa Barbard CA; grandchildren, Steven (Lauren) Mallard, Lauren Michelle Savett and Joseph Macallan. Savett; great grandchildren, Calvin and Margot Mallard; sister Marian (Phil) Polneck; and many nieces nephews and cousins.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Sophie and his two brothers Bill Malendoski and Art Malendoski.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 1pm on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with a visitation beginning at 12:30. Burial along with full military honors will take place following the Mass at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery at approximately 2:30pm. Donations may be made to the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, Michigan or to the Collins Foundation which preserves the living history of the B-25 and other aircraft of the US Air Force.


Kindly share thoughts and memories with Joe's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .