Eugene Didio

Eugene Didio, 88, a resident of Galt, Iowa passed away Friday October 3, 2008 at the Belmond Health Care Center in Belmond.

Graveside services for Eugene Didio will be 1:30 PM Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Clarion, Iowa.

Didio, born July 4, 1920, 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, well past customary retirement age. 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 US Army. His unit was shipped to India, given additional training in jungle warfare, and then ordered into Burma as 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 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. His family feels this excerpt from the Hank Williams tune, “Beyond the Sunset,” would especially please him:

Should you go first and I remain

To walk the road alone

I’ll live in mem’ry’s garden dear

With happy days we’ve known

In spring I’ll wait for roses red

When fades the lilacs blue

And in early fall when brown leaves call

I’ll catch a glimpse of you

Should you go first and I remain

For battles to be fought

Each thing you’ve touched along the way

Will be a hallowed spot

I’ll hear your voice I’ll see your smile

Though blindly I may grope

The mem’ry of your helping hand

Will buoy me on with hope.

Didio was laid to rest at St. John’s Cemetery in Clarion, following a brief graveside ceremony. He was preceded in death by his father Ed and his mother Mary, and his four brothers and two sisters. His wife Bonnie, sons David and Leif, daughter Peggy, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson survive him.

“Tinker” will be greatly missed, and will be thought of every time a clock bell chimes.