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Eugene P. "Gene" Bettwy, 88, Hollidaysburg, formerly of Altoona, died Wednesday at his residence, after a brief illness.
Mr. Bettwy was born in Altoona, son of the late Louis P. and Eva (Eder) Bettwy. On Aug. 14, 1971, he married Viola K. Delozier at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. He was previously married to Charlotte M. O’Friel, who preceded him in death on July 28, 1970.
Surviving are his wife, Viola; seven children: Deborah M. (Matthew) Chapman of Savannah, Ga., Philip G. (Alice) Bettwy of Springfield, Va., Michele M. (Tom) Debernardis and Charlotte M. (Jim) Sommer, both of Altoona, Edward G. (Rhonda) Bettwy of Hollidaysburg, Jeffery L. (Christina) Bettwy of Roaring Spring and Christopher M. (Christine) Bettwy of Martinsburg; 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, with one expected in December; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard Bettwy.
Gene attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Altoona High School in 1950. In 1954, he graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He retired in 1991 as an electrical engineer at Penelec, after 37 years of service.
Gene served in the U.S. Air Force as a first lieutenant during the Korean War. While at Penn State, he was a member of ROTC and upon graduation, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Altoona, where he was a founding member of St. Rose of Lima's new church building, a member of the church choir for many years, he served as the first chairman of the St. Rose Parish Council and as a Eucharistic minister. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, the Altoona Kiwanis Club for 20-plus years and he volunteered for Meals on Wheels. His greatest joy was sharing life with his family and showing off his model trains to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held during the visitation. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at the church with Father Brian Saylor and Father Clement Gardner co-celebrants. Committal rites will be at Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home, Altoona.
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