Obituary of Eugene E. Harkenrider

Osceola, PA | Eugene E. Harkenrider, 82, of South Tuscarora Road, Osceola, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2015 at home. Gene was born in Troupsburg, NY on November 29, 1932, the son of the late Francis and Lena Rude Harkenrider. Able to convince authorities that he was of age, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1948. He served his country there for 20 years, retiring in 1968 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Gene was an electronics technician working with sonar systems. On March 17, 1953, Gene and the former Marjorie T. Moffitt were married in Beacon Hill, Massachusetts. Marjorie preceded him in death on January 25, 2010. His son James Harkenrider also predeceased Gene. Following his military service, Gene and Marjorie returned to Osceola where Gene went to work for Mergenthaler Linotype in Wellsboro where he was employed for 13 years. Following their closing, he worked for K & W, a plastic medical device manufacturer in Westfield, PA. Gene was employed there for 10 years before retiring. Gene was a member of the Greenwood American Legion Post, the Elkland Loyal Order of the Moose # 746 and the USS Coral Sea Association. He also attended St. Thomas Catholic Church in Elkland. Until recently Gene always grew a wonderful vegetable garden which he would admire from his back porch with a cold beverage in hand. Surviving Gene are his sons and daughters in law, David and Faith Harkenrider of Elkland, Thomas and Norma Harkenrider of Centerville, Ohio, William and Valerie Harkenrider of Evans, GA and Robert and June Harkenrider of Corning, his daughter and son in law, Ann and Randall Leisure of Millerton, PA, 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, his brother, James (Dolly) Harkenrider of Beaver Dams, his sisters, Kathryn LeBarron of Troupsburg and Carol Harkenrider of Osceola and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 5 to 8 PM at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. A graveside service will be conducted on Wednesday at 11 AM at St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery in Rexville, NY. Rev. John Kita will officiate. A luncheon and Moose Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 PM at the Elkland Moose Lodge, Main St. Elkland. Memorials in Gene's name may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Service: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 11:00 AM Graveside Service St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery Rexville, NY Visitation: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 5 to 8 PM H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY