Martinsburg in Blair County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Walton Gene Henry
August 11, 1932 • February 17, 2021
— Educator • Businessman • Philanthropist —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 25, 2023
1. Walton Gene Henry Marker
Walton Gene Henry was born to Harry E. and Marian L. (Ake) Henry.
In 1950, Gene graduated from Martinsburg High and went on to earn his BS and M Ed degrees from Pennsylvania State University.
He taught in the Altoona School District for 25 years and was principal of Baker Elementary. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years.
Gene was a descendant of the Brumbaugh and Camerer families, early settlers of Martinsburg. It was very important for him to leave a mark on this community where his roots ran deep.
He founded Henry Mobile Parks, providing affordable housing for generations. The success of these parks enabled him to give generously to local charities, construct two buildings for Fairview Cemetery, buy property to improve street safety, and donate land and funds for the municipal building, police station and EMS station. Gene clearly loved this community.
Gene's generosity did not end with his passing. His contributions to Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg Community Library, Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, and Martinsburg Fire Company ensure their futures.
For centuries, Mr. Henry will be known as one of our most generous citizens. His epitaph is simple:
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania State University series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 40° 18.552′ N, 78° 19.267′ W. Marker is in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, in Blair County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Street and Woodlawn Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Walnut Street. Marker is on the borough building grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 South Walnut Street, Martinsburg PA 16662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Morrisons Cove Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Morrisons Cove Gettysburg Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Yellow Corner (approx. ¼ mile away); Roaring Spring (approx. 4.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.4 miles away); Capt. Phillips' Rangers Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Capt. Phillips' Rangers Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); The Dick Schoolhouse (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsburg.
Regarding Walton Gene Henry.
W. Gene Henry, 88, of Martinsburg, passed
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 25, 2023
2. Walton Gene Henry Marker
He was born on August 11, 1932 at the original Nason Hospital in Roaring Spring, son of the late Dr. Harry E. and Marian L. (Ake) Henry and lived most of his life at the family home in Martinsburg.
Surviving are a brother, three nieces, three grand-nieces, two grand-nephews, and longtime friend and caregiver.
Gene was a direct descendent of early Cove settlers, John Brumbaugh and Daniel Camerer, the founders of Martinsburg and Jacob G. Ake Sr., the founder of Williamsburg.
During his youth, Gene spent a lot of time with his grandparents, Elmer C. and Pearle E. Ake, who were a wonderful inspiration to him while he was growing up. Mr. Ake was the former city editor of the Altoona Mirror and the publisher of the Morrisons Cove Herald. Mrs. Ake served as the business manager for the Herald.
Gene was a 1950 graduate of the former Martinsburg High School. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Penn State University. He also attended Bucknell University for two years in the field of commerce and finance.
Gene taught school in the Altoona Area School District for 25 years, spending most of his teaching career at the Baker Elementary School, where he later became principal. He always enjoyed hearing from and meeting with former students. Gene was especially proud that two of his former students also became principal of Baker School in their careers.
In 1959, Gene founded the W. Gene Henry Mobile Home Parks in Martinsburg, which included the Spring Drive and Stone Manor Parks. He continued that business until March 2020.
Gene expressed his love for the Martinsburg area in many ways. In memory of his parents and grandparents, he constructed and donated the present Martinsburg Borough Building and Police Station in the year 2010. He donated the land to build the Martinsburg EMS building in the year 2006. And in 2020, Gene donated the money to build the new building for the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company, in memory of his family.
The Morrisons Cove Memorial Park was a very important part of Gene’s early life. He has directed that one million dollars from his estate be donated to the park in memory of him and his family.
In the interest of highway safety, Gene contributed the funds to improve and widen four different road intersections in the borough of Martinsburg, which included the razing of two homes to improve visibility. One of these intersections was at South Market and Spring Streets.
Gene was a member of the Fairview Cemetery Board of Directors in Martinsburg where he, along with his brother Edward, donated two buildings located in the cemetery. In memory of their parents, the administration and office building was built and donated in 2005. The garage and maintenance building was donated in 2007. Gene has directed in his will that one million dollars from his estate should be given to the Martinsburg Fairview Cemetery Association Perpetual Care Fund in memory of his parents and grandparents.
For six years, Gene was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, spending his active duty time at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
He was a former trustee of the Homewood Retirement Centers in Williamsport, MD. Gene also was a board member of the Homewood Foundation and a member of the Martinsburg Homewood Board of Directors.
Gene was a past president of the Raystown Waterski Club and enjoyed the sport of slalom water skiing until he was in his seventies.
He was a 60 year member of Woodbury Masonic Lodge #539, Roaring Spring, Altoona Consistory, and Jaffa Shrine. Gene was a life member of Penn State Alumni Association and was a life member of the PSEA and NEA. He was a former council member of the Henry’s Lutheran Church at Yellow Springs and was presently a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Martinsburg.
Gene had a lifelong interest of collecting and restoring antique automobiles, horse drawn buggies and sleighs. He still owned and occasionally drove his first car that he purchased in 1948, a 1926 Model T Ford Touring.
Gene purchased a vacation home in the Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1991. He drove back and forth to Florida each month to enjoy boating, water-skiing and the weather.
Friends will be received from 2-5pm, Sunday, February 21, 2021, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, and from 10am until the 11 am funeral service, Monday, February 22, 2021, at the church, Pastor Traci Marriott-Bowman officiating. Private interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg.
Arrangements are by John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg.
Memorial contributions in memory of Gene may be given to the Fairview Cemetery Association, 103 Blair St., Martinsburg, PA 16662.
The funeral service will be livestreamed at 11am, Monday, February 22, 2021 on the St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 E. Penn St., Martinsburg, PA 16662 Facebook page.
[Obituary published online by John K. Bolger Funeral Home]
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
