Harry Eugene Appleby, Senior, 96, was born May 4, 1921, the son of William and Elizabeth Appleby, of Springfield, and was called to his Heavenly home on October 13, 2017.  Harry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Pearl Frances, a noted artist.  Harry is survived and mourned by his children/grandchildren; including his son Harry Jr, daughter-in-law Susie, daughter Anne Pryor, son-in-law George Pryor; grandchildren Brent Appleby, Angela Coulter, Chris Pryor and his wonderful companion Wilma Nance; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and caring neighbors.

Harry, or "Apple" as he was fondly known by family and friends, was a dynamic person who lived life to the fullest.  Following the death of his father when he was 15, he worked three jobs while he attended school and helped support his mother and sister.  He attended Draughon's Business College and, with the outbreak of World War II, enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was selected for Officer's Candidate School.  After he successfully completed State-side training, he was shipped to England, as a part of the 440th AAA AW Battalion, to prepare for the Normandy Invasion.  Harry landed on Utah Beach and spent the next two years with the 440th in the European Theatre earning five Battle Stars and participating in the Battle of the Bulge.  As his European Commander later wrote of him, "You were the best officer in D Battery during that war.  That is the reason I gave you the rough details away from the Battalion.  You were the only one I could thoroughly trust to successfully accomplish the mission without losing men and equipment."  Harry retired from the Army Reserves as a major.

Following his return to Springfield, Harry entered the U.S. Postal Service and, through efficiency, diligence, and management skills, advanced to be the Springfield Sectional Center Director of Finance at the time of his retirement in 1980.

Harry loved the outdoors.  An expert shot, he hunted quail for many years, enjoyed playing golf, and kept fit taking long walks.

Throughout his life, Harry was sustained by his faith.  He lived by Christian principles, teaching Sunday school for many years at Hamlin Baptist Church and giving unstintingly of his time and resources to help others.  Honorable and intelligent, he could always be relied on to offer good advice and be steadfast in support, not for his own aggrandizement, but because he felt it the right thing to do.  His gifts were done humbly, he habitually hid the extent of his generosity.

Harry was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Reserve Officers Association, and the National Federation of Federal Employees.  He took care to keep in contact with his 440th comrades and regularly hosted their battalion reunions in Springfield.

Harry was a stalwart man, giving full measure of devotion to his country, his family, his church and his friends.  He will be missed.

The family wants to express their deepest appreciation to Visiting Angels Home Care and Three Rivers Hospice for their loving, attentive care and support.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 20, 2017 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Salvation Army.