Joseph Z. Claycomb

Joseph Z. Claycomb, 71, of King Saint Clair Road, Osterburg, went to his eternal home with Jesus on Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 in Bedford County.

Mr. Claycomb was born in Osterburg on January 16, 1950,  son of the late I. Stanley and Dale R. (Wentz) Claycomb.

On June 23, 1973 Joe married Sandra L. (Miller)  Claycomb. Together they shared 48 happy years.

In addition to his wife he is survived by Daughter- Julie M. Claycomb wife of  Alexander Ensminger, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Son- Joel C. husband of Marlene Claycomb, Pittsburgh, PA; Grandchildren Isaac Claycomb-Ensminger and Ayla and Margot Claycomb; Brother- James S. Claycomb, Osterburg; Sister- Linda L. Claycomb, Osterburg; Sister- Debra D. Ryba, Osterburg; and Brother- Jeffrey K. Claycomb, Osterburg and numerous nieces and nephews.  Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law- L. Jane (Clark) Claycomb.

Joe was a 1967 graduate of Chestnut Ridge and a 1971 graduate of Penn State, as well as an Alumni of the Penn State Blue Band. After 35 years of service, Joe retired from the PA Department of Agriculture where he was a Food Safety Inspector. While he did not always enjoy the bureaucracy of his job, he loved interacting with restaurant owners and workers, and teaching them proper food safety approaches.

Joe was co-owner of Claycomb Farms LLC and Cove Soft Ice Cream LLC, also known as the "Cow". He adored sharing ice cream treats with friends and family, pups and humans alike. He was also affiliated with the Alum Bank United Methodist Church congregation.

Joe thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors where he often could be found planting flowers, gardening, building new landscaping features, and tinkering. Much of his time was spent working on the farm, where he currently had a special cat named Blacky. Joe loved animals, and was especially fond of his cows and pet cats. Joe took up an interest in wine making during retirement and  enjoyed sharing the wine he made with others, along with plenty of other homemade treats like salsa and sauerkraut. He was an amazing problem solver who self-taught himself how to fix anything that needed to be fixed-from electronics to accounting, Joe figured it out. Joe loved his newly restored 1970 Boss 302 Mustang and was always eager to show it to everyone. Every year Joe had a big part in the Christmas light display at Claycomb Farm, that people traveled miles to see. His latest Christmas lighting project was in setting the light show to music, which required a fair amount of programming knowledge. Anyone who knew Joe knew that he was generous, sincere, and loved to share a good story and good laugh with anyone who would listen.

Joe treasured spending time with his family. His grandchildren held a very special spot in his heart. He loved to teach them new things and play with them every chance he got. Joe was a well-rounded, genuinely kind-heart gentleman who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 2-5PM at Jack H. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Pleasantville. At the request of his daughter, masks will be required for the visitation.

A Graveside Service will be held at Bedford County Memorial Park at 11:00AM on Monday, October 11th, with Rev. Kendra Balliet officiating. Interment will be at Bedford County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joe to Bedford County Humane Society, 182 Bohn Road, Bedford, PA 15522 or Alum Bank Community Fire Department, 6738 King Saint Clair Road, Alum Bank, PA 15521.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneral.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Jack H. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Pleasantville.