Memorial Services Set for Joe Paterno

Updated: Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 7:17 PM CST
Published : Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 7:17 PM CST

(NewsCore) - STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The life of legendary former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will be honored with two public memorial services this week, his family announced Monday.

Public viewings will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the university's main campus in State College, Pa., before a private family funeral service Wednesday afternoon.

Penn State also will host a public memorial service at the school's Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, according to the family's statement.

President Barack Obama called Paterno's wife, Sue, and one of their five children, son Jay, to offer his condolences Monday.

During their conversation, Obama recalled fond memories of when he first met Paterno and said he and First Lady Michelle Obama would "keep the Paterno family in their prayers during this difficult time," a White House statement said.

Paterno died Sunday at age 85 due to complications linked to his ongoing bout with lung cancer. The coaching icon was diagnosed with the disease in November, a week after he was fired by the university's board of trustees amid the child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Thousands gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil outside Old Main, the school's administration building, to honor the popular coach, who guided the Penn State football program for 46 years.

Close friends and longtime staff members reportedly rushed to his bedside Saturday as news of his dire health spread, while hundreds of students gathered outside Beaver Stadium for a vigil in front of his bronze statue.

The family has requested mourners and well-wishers make donations to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or a dance marathon to be held at Penn State in lieu of flowers or gifts.