William Charles (“Bill”) Emge

William ("Bill") Charles Emge, 84, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2010 at the Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home. Born June 13, 1925 in Pittsburgh , he was the younger of two sons of the late Frank A. and Jenny Shaughnessy Emge. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Helen Geschwinder Emge; his brother, James F. Emge; his beloved grandson, Thomas James Emge; his brothers-in-law, William, Robert, Allen, Donald and Terry Stoneking and Gordon Gustely; and his sister-in-law, Carol Cumberledge. Bill graduated from Peabody High School and attended Carnegie Tech in Oakland , majoring in Fine Arts. He retired in September, 1980, as a carpenter from the United States Steel Research Lab in Monroeville , with 30 years of service. Most recently a resident of Saltsburg , PA , he used his carpentry skills and artistic abilities to build his "dream" log home, along with his wife, Eleanor Jeane Stoneking Emge and son, James David Emge. Bill was a Purple Heart veteran of WWII, serving with Patton's 3rd Army - Tanks and Armored Cars in France and Germany ; a member of the American Legion and of the NRA. He was a tennis fiend and was known for playing tennis for hours in 90-degree heat - a sport he learned from his mother on the courts in Frick Park - a favorite haunt of his youth. He instilled his love of the outdoors in his children and grandchildren and provided them with many wonderful memories of campouts at the beach and in the woods. He enjoyed hunting, archery, shooting, hiking, animal watching, gardening, music (especially bagpipes) and travel "out West", to Florida , and to Maui to visit his grandsons. He was widely read on westerns and "The War" and greatly appreciated the works of Edward Abbey. A favorite poem of Bill's was "In Flanders Fields". He loved socializing and was known for frequently striking up a conversation with perfect strangers. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor Jeane Stoneking Emge; daughters, Mary Jeanine Villanueva and Kathleen Marie McDonald (Gene, Jr.); son, James David Emge; grandchildren, Ian and Aaron Villanueva, Joshua Dias, Annie McDonald and Sara Emge; great-granddaughters, Makamae Tokuda-Villanueva and Iana Hall-Villanueva; sisters-in-law, Helen Robertshaw Emge, Eileen Stoneking, Anna Mae Gustely, Dorothy Stoneking, Sandy Stoneking, Linda Danko and Ruby Hewitt; brothers-in-law, David Stoneking (Celia Munici), Tommy Stoneking (Dot), Mike Cumberledge, and Daniel Stoneking (Sue Grover); in addition to numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Bill's life will take place at the Saltsburg Presbyterian Church, 517 Salt St. , Saltsburg PA 15681 on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:00 am, with luncheon to follow at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saltsburg American Legion, c/o Joseph A. Spellane, Commander, 1313 Dixon Rd. , Clarksburg , PA 15725 . Arrangements provided by the P. David Newhouse Funeral Home, New Alexandria , PA. www.newhousefuneralhome.com

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