Eugene DIDIO

DIDIO

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/10/2008 at 09:42:50

October 09, 2008
Wright County Monitor, Clarion, IA

Eugene Didio, 88, a resident of Galt, passed away Friday, October 3, 2008 at the Belmond Health Care Center. Eugene was laid to rest at St. John's Cemetery in Clarion following a brief graveside ceremony.

Eugene Didio was born July 4, 1920, the son of Ed and Mary Didio and was raised on a farm north of Clarion. He was known simply as "Gene" or "Morris" to his friends and family and "Tinker" to the many children whose bicycles and toys he repaired in his spare time. A watchmaker by profession, he owned and operated a watch repair shop in Clarion from 1950 to 1980. He later moved to Galt, where he continued to repair watches and clocks until the year 2003. Even when he was 80 years old, he could still be seen huddled over his workbench, adjusting a precision timepiece of the smallest dimensions. Didio was inducted into the Army in 1944 and became a member of the 124th Cavalry Regiment, the last horse cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army. His unit was shipped to India, given additional training in jungle warfare and then ordered into Burmaas reinforcements for Merrill's Marauders, eventually becoming known as the Mars Task Force. The "Men from Mars", as they were nicknamed, became a long-range penetration force that moved deep behind enemy lines during the China-Burma-India campaign. Didio received the Purple Heart after being wounded in action along the Ledo Road in Burma. Following his recovery and his discharge from the Army, Didio went to watchmaking school in Missouri and then returned to his home in Clarion to open his watch repair shop on South Main Street.

Didio loved to go dancing and despite his war injuries, he and his wife, Bonnie were regular weekend fixtures at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, whenever the big bands played. He enjoyed music of all types, and played the accordion and organ in his spare time.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, David and Leif; one daughter, Peggy; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.