Eugene F. Alderman, 94

Eugene Franklin Alderman, 94, went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2021, in Kellogg, Idaho. He was born July 29, 1926, in Adrian, W.Va. He was one of eight children born to James and Effie Alderman. He served in the Navy during World War II. He married Norma Mason-Alderman in 1948.

Eugene worked in the coal mines until 1954, when he heard the call “go west young man, go west.” He hoped to provide a better way of life for his family than the coal mining industry offered at that time and so he loaded up his wife and two small children (Ginger and Richard) and headed to Idaho.

Soon after arriving in St. Maries, a son Robert was born and two years later Thomas was born. Eugene and Norma were married 25 years before divorcing. They had five children: Ginger Alderman-Carpenter (James) of St. Maries, Richard Alderman (deceased 2013), Harold Alderman (died at birth), Robert Alderman (Victoria) and Thomas Alderman (Cassandra), both living sons now of Clearlake, Calif.

After the divorce, Eugene moved to Kellogg and worked at Dave Smith’s for 13 years as Service Manager. There he met and fell in love with Jeanette Truelock. They were married on Sept. 24, 1972. Over their 48 years of marriage, he enjoyed showering his wife with flowers and jewelry. Also, by marrying Jeanette, Eugene acquired his second lovely daughter, Gloria Peninger of Pinehurst.

In 1974, Eugene and Jeanette built a home at Montgomery Gulch and put in a covered swimming pool for all the grand and great-grandkids to enjoy. After a day of swimming, then 4-year-old Tayva Hendrickx declared, “This is the best day of my life!”

After retiring, Eugene and Jeanette enjoyed spending time camping at their river property on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. They both loved to fly fish and spent many days competing and measuring to see who caught the biggest fish. They also enjoyed hunting together.

Papa Gene’s sense of humor and quick wit stayed with him until the day he left us. He always said: “I still feel like a young man inside because you know that little voice you have that talks to you it doesn’t age.”

Eugene is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; his children listed above and his brother, Denver Alderman (Naomi) of Salem, W.Va. Also, surviving are 10 grandchildren (including locals: Stacie Shaw (Bob) of Pinehurst, Wesley Carpenter (Rosina) of Plummer and Cara Hendrickx (Jody) of St. Maries); and 26 great-grandchildren. The Eugene Alderman 1st annual memorial will be held this summer.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with services. You may share your memories of Eugene and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.