Private Eugene J. ‘Gene’ Appleby
COSHOCTON – Private Eugene J. “Gene” Appleby, 30, was born in Franklin County, Ohio on September 1, 1914 to the late Mark and Elizabeth Loretta (Berlin) Appleby.
Gene served in the United States Army, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. On September 17, 1944, Pvt Appleby took part in Operation Market Garden, Drop Zone T north of Groesbeek, The Netherlands, after a successful jump and landing, his squadron took on enemy fire and Pvt Appleby was killed in action and had remained missing in action.
On September 8, 2011 the Royal Netherlands Army Recovery and Identification Unit “RIU”, was notified of possible human remains found on a farm by local residents. The remains were then transferred to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, now DPAA, for identification. Through DNA, site investigation and information from his fellow soldiers, the remains were successfully identified to be Pvt. Eugene J. “Gene” Appleby.
Gene is survived by his nephew Eugene George (Janis) Simonds of Panama City, FL; nieces Denise (Nate) Arnold of Panama City, FL, Sue Hamilton and Sandy Kendall of LeHigh Acres, FL.
Pvt. Appleby’s remains will be transported to the John Glen International Airport, Columbus on Tuesday June 20, 2017 arriving at 2:21 PM, Miller Funeral Home will be traveling back to Coshocton County in an honorable procession with Pvt. Appleby’s remains to the funeral home. The procession will be traveling SR 16 East from Columbus, Coshocton exit, right on Second Street and left on Main Street to the funeral home.
Funeral services for Pvt. Appleby will be held at The Miller Funeral Home, 639 Main St., Coshocton on Thursday June 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM with Mark Granger officiating.
Interment will follow in South Lawn Cemetery where a United States Army active duty Honor Guard will be performing full Military Honors, Coshocton County Veterans Honor Guard will also be assisting.
An online memorial is located at www.themillerfuneralhome.com.
Category: Obituaries
