Obituary of Eugene G. Saloom

Eugene G. Saloom, 87, of Mt. Pleasant township, died Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Somerset Hospital. He was born September 22, 1934, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late George and Isabelle (Karfelt) Saloom. He was a graduate of Ramsay High School Class of 1953, Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1955, earned an Associates degree from Elon College in 1958, and served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. Gene and his late wife, Nancy, established the Eugene G. Saloom Funeral Home in 1960 which they operated for more than 40 years. He ran the first ambulance service in Mt. Pleasant and was a longtime member of the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Gene served 20 years(1967-76 and 1983-92) in the PA House of Representatives where he was Chairman of the Liquor Control Committee and was a staunch advocate for raising the speed limit to 65 mph on the PA Turnpike. He was elected to the Mt. Pleasant Area School Board, a member of the Shriners, a 50-year member of Marion Lodge, 562 F&AM, and a Board member of Southwest Behavioral Health. Gene also served on the Jacob Justice Board of Frick Hospital. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the PA Farm Bureau. Gene operated Saloom Farms in Mt. Pleasant township with assistance from his late brother-in-law, Carl Stewart, and late nephew, Tom “Zangy” Barrick. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Charlene R. Saloom and her husband, Guy George, of Mt. Pleasant; a son, Charles R. Saloom, of Surfside Beach, SC; three grandsons: Nathan, Thaddeus, and Alexander; a granddaughter, Sidney, and her mother, Kelly; sisters-in-law: Dolly Stewart, Gloria Saloom and Marlene Saloom; brother-in-law, Herb Tempest; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Nancy (Newill) Saloom on December 11, 2021, with whom he enjoyed playing the slots in Atlantic City, NJ and Immokalee, FL, vacationing in Virginia Beach, VA, and spending time at their home in Marco Island, FL; his brothers: Albert and Joseph Saloom; and sisters: Effie Trogdon and Charlotte Mowry. Family would like to thank the visiting nurses and therapists from Bethlan Home Health for all they did to help Gene in recent months, Dr George Bousamra and Gene’s nephew Dr Albert Timothy Saloom for all their efforts during his final moments. Sadly even the most valiant efforts could not help his already broken heart. Family and friends will be received in the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mt. Pleasant, Friday from 5 to 8 PM and Saturday from 9 to 11 AM, at which time his funeral service will begin with the Rev. Dale Porterfield officiating. Military rites will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Marion Lodge #562 will conduct memorial services in the funeral home Friday @ 7PM.