Carl "Gene" Eugene Spahr

Carl “Gene” Eugene Spahr, Jr.

Normandy Invasion Survivor -

Carl “Gene” Eugene Spahr Jr., 87, of Mechanicsburg died at Holy Spirit Hospital on Friday, December 30, 2011.  He was born in Harrisburg on Wednesday, May 21, 1924 son of the late Carl Eugene Spahr, Sr. and Sarah Marie (Miller) Spahr.  Gene was the husband of Margie (Shambaugh) Spahr who he married on January 28, 1949 and who survives him.

Gene graduated from Mechanicsburg High School as part of the class of 1943 and from Williamsport Technical Institute with a degree in printing.  He retired from the Patriot News in Harrisburg after 36 years of service working as a printer.  Gene was a proud Navy Veteran who served aboard the USS Kleinsmith and during the Normandy Invasion on D-day (June 6, 1944) in a landing craft at Omaha Beach.  He was proud to be a Plank Owner who attended the USS Kleinsmith reunions. In 2004, Gene attended the 50 ^th Anniversary Events in Normandy, of the invasion.

Gene was a loyal Penn State Football Fan who attended every game for over 12 years.  He was a 36+ year member of the International Telecommunication Union.  Gene loved the outdoors and especially the state parks and mountains.  He greatly enjoyed camping, biking, hiking, walking and swimming.

Gene’s survivors include his loving wife of almost 63 years: Margie (Shambaugh) Spahr; three daughters: Margene Harper and her husband Robert of Mechanicsburg, Anne Thorne and her husband Jim of Minehead, England, Denise Passmore and her husband Joe of Minehead, England; four grandsons: Keith, Kirk, Joshua, David; four granddaughters: Donna, Becki, Abbie, Dana; a great-grandson: Andrew; a great-granddaughter: Tori; a brother: Lloyd Spahr of Mechanicsburg; a sister: Shirley Murphy of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to join Gene’s family at his viewing on Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 1:30 until time of service at 2:30 at Myers–Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17055, (717) 766-3421, www.Myers-Buhrig.com with Pastor Terry Smith officiating.  Burial will immediately follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg where military honors will be presented by Cumberland County Honor Guard.

The family suggests memorial contributions to: Landing Craft Infantry National Association, 101 Rice Bent Way #6, Columbia, SC 29229 or Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum, PO Box 17220, Portland, OR 97217.

Gene’s family has entrusted his care to Myers–Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , (717) 766-3421, www.Myers-Buhrig.com .

Please share your memories and photos of Gene and offer your condolences at www.SharingSpecialMemories.com or www.Myers-Buhrig.com .