Joseph Baker Zehner, M.D.

March 9, 1948 - October 25, 2025

Dr. Joseph "Joe" Zehner, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on October 25, 2025, in hospice care, following his wishes.

Born in Woodbury, New Jersey on March 09, 1948, Joe was raised in the Laurel Hills community of Pilesgrove Township, where he shared many fond memories with cherished neighborhood friends. Growing up in a family of educators, lawyers, and pharmacists, Joe knew at a young age he wanted to pursue a life in medicine, proudly becoming the youngest orderly to volunteer at Elmer Hospital when he was fourteen years old. After graduating from Woodstown High School in 1966, Joe obtained a biology degree from Ursinus College in 1970 and later his medical degree from Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine in 1976, after which followed an internship at Albert Einstein Medical Center and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1985, he earned his lifetime board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

One of the last great solo practitioners, Joe established his first orthopedic practice in southern New Jersey with offices in Woodstown, Elmer, and a preventive sports medicine program in Salem. In 1989, he moved his family to Beaufort, South Carolina, where he gained great satisfaction in working at the Parris Island Naval Hospital. In the early 2000s, he joined orthopedic groups in Statesboro, Georgia and Dyersburg, Tennessee, before returning to solo practice in Russellville, Kentucky, where he spent his final years.

Joe had an affinity with rural hospitals and communities, often brokering deals with uninsured patients in the Mennonite and immigrant communities in southwestern Kentucky. He was known to accept payment in the form of fixing his tractor, assisting with constructing an outdoor shed, or the fruits from the farmer's harvest. Joe's colleagues affectionately called him "MacGyver" for his ingenuity in the operating room. He was the doctor you wanted on call during a snowstorm, always finding a way to the hospital and to see his patients. Strong-willed in his convictions, Joe took great pleasure in a good debate, a glass of his favorite Scotch, fly fishing, gardening, and in his younger years, scuba diving and golf. Joe loved his three children immensely, rearing them on the importance of education and hard work. He was happiest when he was able to bring his children and grandchildren together for dinner at one of his favorite eclectic restaurants.

Sadly, due to an unfavorable cancer prognosis, Joe was forced to abruptly close his orthopedic practice in 2017, which also ended the camaraderie with his wonderful office staff and colleagues. The oncology team at Vanderbilt University was successful in tumor resection surgery, and later a Whipple procedure, allowing his brief return to medicine as an expert witness and Locum Tenens orthopedic surgeon until the Covid-19 pandemic. Although his final years were plagued with illness, Joe's Quaker values allowed him to still find joy in life's little moments.

Joe is survived by his brother, Daniel (Roberta) Zehner; three children, Jamie (Tom) Vitarelli, Joseph (Marta) Zehner, Jr., and Katharine Collazo; five grandchildren, Eden, Luca & Jake Vitarelli, Saia Collazo, and Soren Zehner; nephews, Zack Zehner, John Foulkes, and Luke Zehner. He is preceded in death by his parents, Burton D. Zehner and Helen Andrews Zehner.

Cremation care has been entrusted to Magnolia Cremations. A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of gifts, please consider donations to Vanderbilt University - Ingram Cancer Center in his honor. https://vicc.org/giving