Howard F. "Joe" King, Jr., 73, of Phillipsburg, died Tuesday, November 5, 1996 in Warren Hospital where he had been a patient for the past 19 days.

He was a truck driver for Keplers Fuel Company in Easton, retiring in 1980. He had also been a driver for Shell Oil Company and C.K. Williams of Easton.

Born June 3, 1923 in Easton, he was the son of the late Howard F. King Sr.

He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg.

He was a Machinist's Mate Third Class with the Construction Battalion in the Navy. He was awarded the World War Two Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and the American Theatre Ribbon.

He and his wife, the former Phyllis E. Mount observed their fiftieth wedding anniversary on October 12.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Betty Ann Gordon and Jane M. Nickel, both of Phillipsburg and Joanne Keller of Bath and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Twp. There will be no calling hours.

The family requests memorial contributions to the Phillipsburg Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 215, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-0215.

The Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg is handling funeral arrangements.