L. Eugene Pauling

L. Eugene Pauling, 98, formerly of Elimsport, died Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Wolf Run Village, Hughesville.

Born October 19, 1921, he was a son of the late Lemuel and Margaret (Emery) Pauling.  On December 5, 1942, he married his first wife, the former Carolyn Grittner, who preceded him in death on January 14, 1961.  He later married his second wife, the former Mary Miller on August 21, 1964, and she preceded him in death on December 2, 2007.

Eugene was a 1939 graduate of Montgomery Clinton High School.  He later served on the school board for 12 years and was instrumental in the approval of Elimsport’s first elementary school, replacing the one room schools.  Eugene also served as past president of the Montgomery Area High School Alumni Association.

Following his time in high school, Eugene entered the United States Army Air Corps and was selected for pilot training.  He became commissioned as an officer and trained as a B-17 pilot.  Eugene was assigned to the 305th Bomb Group flying out of Wales and England during WWII.  He successfully completed 30 combat missions over Germany as a lead bomber pilot from 1944 to 1945.  After his honorable discharge, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Presidential Citation.

Following his heroic war efforts, Eugene returned home to his family farm in Elimpsort.  He worked for a short time at Glen-Gery brick plant, Watsontown during his first wife, Carolyn’s, illness.  Shortly after her death, Eugene was appointed as the maintenance supervisor of highways for Lycoming County.  In 1964 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff for Lycoming County, a job he would hold through five elections, often without opposition.  He restored honor to the office and is a life member, and past president of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s association.

Eugene was a proud member and past Master of the Muncy Lodge #299, F&AM.  He was also a past district Deputy Grand Master and a Commander-in-Chief of the Williamsport Consistory, with a Scottish Rite class named in his honor.  Eugene was elected and elevated to the 33rd degree, the Masonry’s highest honor, at the Supreme Council in Milwaukee, WI.  He was also elected as charter president of the Lycoming Chapter 509 of the National Sojourners, an organization of masons who were commissioned officers and warrant officers in the military service.

Eugene is a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Clinton Lodge 79, past president of the Lycoming County Prison Board, member of the Washington Township Fire Department, past chairman of the Muncy Valley Lawn Party, and a long time advisory board member, and present emeritus member, of the AAA of Central Pennsylvania.  He was also honored by Lycoming County Brotherhood USA as a recipient of their outstanding humanitarian achievement award.

He was a member of Elimsport United Methodist Church.

Surviving are three children, Carol Jean Pauling Westerman and her husband, Fred, of Virginia, Thomas Wayne Pauling and his wife, Ellen, of North Carolina, and David Vaughn Pauling and his wife, Nancy, of Virginia; one sister, Patricia Ulrich, of Allewnood; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Audrey Reed.

In addition to his parents and wives, he was predeceased by two sisters, Beverly Anne Boden and Margery Fry.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St. Muncy, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, with Pastor Michael Hill, officiating.  There will be no visitation Saturday prior to the funeral service.

Private burial with full military honors will be held in the Elimsport Cemetery.

Due to the current health concerns affecting our entire country, please remember that expressions of sympathy to the family may always be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com.

Grenoble Funeral Home and the Pauling family encourage visitors that do plan to attend, please use discretion for yourselves and the families you travel home to.  In these unprecedented times, the health and safety of everyone in our community is a priority.

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