Eugene F. 'Gene' Priddy
Eugene F. "Gene" Priddy, 86, Sinking Valley, Altoona, heroically fought his last battle with cancer and passed into eternity with his heavenly Father on Tuesday.
He was born on his family homestead in Sinking Valley, son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Kidd) Priddy.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 66 years, June (Shoenfelt); two daughters: Fayetta Rush and husband, Louis, of Fishers, Ind., and Mary Catherine Priddy of Bellefonte; a son, William and wife, Tracey, of Sinking Valley; three grandchildren: Matthew and wife, Tracy, and Chad, all of Fishers, Ind., and Shanna Harms and fiance, Andrew Barker, of Woodland, Wash.; three great-grandchildren: Raina, Gabriel and Sophia; three sisters-in-law; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Gene's proudest moment in life was having served in the U.S. Army during WWII. After stateside training in chemical warfare, he was transferred to the 8th Infantry, the "Spearhead" Division. Landing on French soil in the late fall of 1944, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest and in the continuing campaign waged by the 8th to defeat the German Reich to its conclusion on VE Day. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with bronze star, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal while serving.
Upon discharge from the Army after VJ Day, Gene married June in Cumberland, Md., and began working at the Schwarzenbach Huber Silk Mill in Juniata, ending his working career with the Altoona Area School District. He was a skilled technician in the carpentry, masonry and plastering trades. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and transferred his membership to Wehnwood United Methodist Church when Faith UMC closed its doors.
Gene's various interests included working with wood, flower and vegetable gardening, flea marketing, spending precious time with his family and retelling his WWII exploits with family and friends.
Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Leslie E. Axe Funeral Home, 1520 Fourth St., Altoona, and 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at Axe and Santella Family Chapel, 1534 Fourth St., Altoona, the Rev. Evelyn Madison officiating. Interment will be at St. John's Cemetery, Sinking Valley, with full military honors.
Heavenly Valley Pa - News
Eugene F. "Gene" Priddy, 86, Sinking Valley, Altoona, heroically fought his last battle with cancer and passed into eternity with his heavenly Father on Tuesday. He was born on his family homestead in Sinking Valley, son of the late Joseph and Eleanor
Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, The Heavenly Melodies Gospel Singers, New Wave Brass Band, Red White and Blue, Wild Mohicans, Golden Comanche, and Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble,