Eugene Eichelberger

Eugene C. “Gene” “Ike” Eichelberger, 95, passed away on Thursday morning, December 29, 2016, at Menno Haven. Born April 5, 1921, in Hopewell Township, PA, he was a son of the late Johan “Adam” and Nona Maude Steele Eichelberger. His beloved wife of 59 years, Ura Alzene Mountain Eichelberger, preceded him in death on March 19, 2007.
Gene was a 1939 graduate of Robert P. Smith Vocational High School in Hopewell, PA. A World War II veteran, Gene served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in both the European Theatre in Iceland and Pacific Theatre in troop transport. He was a flight engineer and his crew manned the second plane that landed at Atsugi Air Field, Tokyo, after the armistice was signed. Following his service, Gene was employed as a Supply Officer with the U.S. Army at Letterkenny Army Depot until his retirement in 1976 after 30 years of service. He was a member of Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, and also a member of the American Legion Post 46, AmVETS Post 224, VFW Post 1599, the St. Thomas Ruritan Club, Elks Lodge 600, Masonic Lodge 143, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Hagerstown Forest No. 95. He was a past Department Commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion. In his younger years he enjoyed playing softball and refereeing basketball. He also enjoyed gardening.
Gene is survived by three children, Carol J. Layton, D.M.D. of Harrisburg, E. Curtis Eichelberger, Jr. P. E. (Dawn) of Harrisburg; and Deborah Eichelberger, M.D. (Robert Kohl) of Williamsburg, VA; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and one brother, Donald Bruce Eichelberger of Sharpsville, PA. In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by seven siblings, Robert “Paul” Eichelberger, Naomi Margaret “Peg” Clapper, Mabel Elizabeth Spielman, Kenneth Ray Eichelberger, Edith “Lucille” Fry Creager, Jack Adam Eichelberger and Della “Louise” Fix.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2017, in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Rev. Darlene Stouffer will officiate. Inurnment will follow the service in St. Thomas Cemetery where members of the VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard will conduct military graveside honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A gathering will be held immediately following the graveside services. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The American Legion, Donation Processing, PO Box 361623, Indianapolis, IN 46236-1626, marked to be designated for Pennsylvania American Legions or go to www.legion.org/donate.