Eugene John

Eugene J. May was born April 26, 1919 in Waukon, Iowa. He was the son of John C. and Eugenia Phillips May. He was raised in Waukon where he attended St. Patrick’s School. In September of 1940 he joined the United States Cavalry. In December of 1940, he married Betty LaVonne Bloxham. In the summer of ’41, the troops rode on horseback from Ft. Riley Kansas to the Rio Grande to settle a border dispute. For that service, he received the American Defense Ribbon. This border dispute turned out to be the final mission of the Horse Cavalry which then became the 9th Armored Division. Eugene spent two years in Kansas training new recruits for warfare and in late 1944, he was sent overseas. His unit immediately engaged in the Battle of the Bulge. So quickly were they dispatched, the soldiers didn’t even have time to get their winter clothes. This band of soldiers became known as “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne.” Eugene earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his efforts at the Battle of the Bulge. He came home on June 23, 1945. Eugene and Betty and their three girls moved to Corvallis in 1948. After moving to Corvallis, they had three more girls. He built them all a beautiful two story home with oak hardwood floors that he installed one board at a time. Eugene was employed as a roofer and heavy machinery mechanic. His family describes him as a hard worker and a good provider—he worked very hard all of his life to provide for his family. He enjoyed gardening and hunting and was devoted to his religion. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals, particularly hound dogs—he was a “dog rescuer” long before it became an everyday term. He could fix anything and he was always ready to help anyone. That includes all those who considered him their second father. Preceding him in death are his parents; four brothers Leo, James, Robert and Jerome; four sisters Marcella Fencl, Mary Smith, Catherine May and Teresa May. Eugene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty May; his daughters Dorothy Craver, Joyce Beemer, Janet Burgess, Nancy May, Mona Goetzinger and Nina Dornhecker; eight grandchildren Beth, Theresa, Gwen, Ronald, Darren, Dustin, John and Aaron; five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; four sisters Esther Smith of Waukon, Patricia Tucker of Waterloo, Iowa, Hazel Morin of Prineville and Joan (Keith) Ewing of Albany; sisters in law Norma May, Helen May and Joan Beckner and many many nieces and nephews. His family loved him very much. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am ~ Saturday ~ July 16th at McHenry Funeral Home.

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Eugene John

April 26, 1919 - June 25, 2011