Obituary of George Homan

George Shuey Homan, 98, passed away August 22, 2011, at his residence for the past year, The Atrium at the Village at Penn State. A native of State College, he was born January 20, 1913, in the farmhouse which is now in the borough, at 1301 Whitehall Road. He was the oldest of 4 children born to John C. and Mabel R. Shuey Homan who predeceased him. He was the sole remaining member of his family. After attending the Upper Branch School, currently a residence on Branch road, he attended State College High School and graduated in 1933. During the depression he found work wherever he could. He built cement blocks for O.W. Houtz and worked for Shoemaker's truck business. After courting Mary Elizabeth Dietrich from State College for about a year in his four-cylinder Model A Ford, they married on October 15, 1939, at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in State College. Sharing a home with Mary's grandfather, they took up housekeeping at 621 S. Allen Street. In 1943, married and with a 3 month-old baby, he was drafted into the Army, opting for the Army Air Corps. He completed aerial gunnery school and served as a crew chief on B-24 bombers. Transferred overseas to Naples, Italy, he worked as a mechanic on C-47 transport planes as part of the 327th Ferrying Squadron. Upon discharge as a Corporeal, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal. After returning from the war in 1947 he briefly worked at Penn State's Frear Laboratory and in 1973 began his 28 years of service as a mail handler at the State College Post Office working at both its original location, the current site of the Schlow Library and its current location. During those years his hard-working, patient, and quiet manner earned him the honor of a Superior Accomplishment Award. He retired from the Post Office at the age of 70. As were two generations of Homans before him, George was a life-long member of the Pine Hall Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 57 years, serving as Noble, Vice, and Past Grand and was a member of the American Legion 245. He is survived by two daughters, Virginia Brennan and husband William of Carlisle, and Jean Dietrich and husband James Miller of State College; four grandchildren: Peter Newcomb, Richard Brennan, Heidi Rugoletti, and Matthew Newcomb; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Mary Dietrich Homan in 2008, a sister, Mary Homan Heilman in 2010, and two brothers, Robert E. Homan in 2004 and Ralph L. Homan in 2007. Funeral services will be held at the Pine Hall Lutheran Church on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 11 am, with the Rev. Susan Williamson officiating. Friends will be received at the church on Friday from 10 until 11 am. Entombment will follow at Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial Donations may be made to: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for The United Nations' Children's Tour, 454 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College, PA 16801 The family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care he received from the compassionate staff at The Atrium. George was a patient, practical and accepting man; a caring husband; a kind and wise father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, who lived a long and honorable life. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.