It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Life Member/Past President/Past Chief/CCVESA Hall of Fame Inductee Joseph E. 'Big Joe' Spangler, Sr. early Christmas morning. We will post the entire obituary when available. Viewing Tuesday Dec 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. with Memorial Service at 8 p.m. Funeral Service Wednesday Dec 31 at 11 a.m. with interment at Evergreen Gardens, Finksburg. The Viewing, Memorial and Funeral Services will be held at REESE FIRE COMPANY SOCIAL HALL.

Obituary from Carroll County Times:

Joseph Edward Spangler Sr. "Big Joe", 72, of Finksburg, died Thursday, December 25, 2014 at his home. Born August 15, 1942, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Francis Joseph and Doris Jeanne Fitzgerald Spangler. He was the loving husband of Patricia "Pat" Spangler whom he was married to for 52 years.

He attended St. Johns High School until the 10th grade where he then went to work for his father at Spangler's Market in Finksburg as a teenager. He was later employed with Rowan Controller and Maryland Cup. He was also an independent owner, operator truck driver, and then worked for Roadway Express Inc. both in Westminster and Hagerstown for over thirty years until his retirement. He was a member of the Teamsters Local Union #557.

He joined the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company in 1961 where he was a life member with over 50 years of service. He was also a member of the Carroll County Hall of Fame. He served the company in many roles including: Trustee, Corresponding Secretary, Chairman of the Board, Captain, Chief from 1984-85, and President of the Fire Department for over 14 years. He was also an Apparatus Driver for many years. He was a Delegate to the Carroll County Fireman's Association and the Maryland State Fireman's Associations serving on different committees for both organizations. He was very active in fundraising for the fire department and helped with bingo, the annual fireman carnival, and many benefit feeds and banquets. He played on the Reese Fire Department slow pitch softball team and also enjoyed playing golf.

Surviving in addition to his wife are Son, Joseph E. Spangler Jr. and wife Patricia Lynn (Condon) Spangler, of Owings Mills; Daughter, Janet Marie (Spangler) Saunders and husband Michael Saunders of Ellicott City; Grandchildren, Michelle, Jonathan, and Chelsea; brothers, James Spangler and Thomas Spangler; and sister Bette Hoffman.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2 to 8 pm at the social hall of the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company, 1745 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157, where a Fire Company Memorial Service will be held at 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 am at the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company with Deacon Charles Barnhart Jr. officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Finksburg.

Memorial donations may be made, in his name, to the Reese Volunteer Fire Company or to the American Diabetes Association, Suite#110, 2002 Clipper Park Rd., Baltimore, MD 21211.

Online condolences may be offered at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.