Edward H. Monighan

Edward H. Monighan, 97, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2023, after a brief illness, with his family by his side. He was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania on June 23, 1926, to the late Howard and Grace (Keptner) Monighan. Edward enjoyed hunting with family and friends, he taught both of his sons to hunt and shoot well. An avid race fan, he also enjoyed motor sports and could often be found on the top stretch of the Silver Springs Speedway with his family. No stranger to yard work, Edward enjoyed keeping his property tidy and loved to build and fix anything in his shop behind his home. He served his country proudly and honorably during World War II in the United States Army. Edward was drafted on his 18th birthday and went to basic training at Camp Croft, South Carolina, for about 4 weeks and then went overseas to Scotland on the Queen Mary. After arriving in Scotland, he was sent to England, France, Belgium, Holland, and then to Germany. A member of the Machine Gun Squad of the 35th Division, the 5th Infantry Division, and the 8th Armor Division, Edward operated a machine gun on the Half Track, a small, armored vehicle, and was a sharpshooter. Edward received numerous awards, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars (one for each battle he engaged in), World War II Victory Medal, the World War II American Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry First Award Badge, a French Citation, and Sharpshooter Insignia. He was about 15 miles from Berlin, Germany when Germany surrendered on May 15th, 1945. He stayed in a small town for a couple weeks and was sent to a prisoner of war camp at Pilsen, Czechoslovakia for about 2 months. He guarded German Prisoners and took them out to work on the runway and airport there. After the Japanese surrendered on August 15, 1945, he was still stationed at Pilsen, Germany and saw General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, and General Douglas MacArthur get off an airplane at the airport. After his service in Pilsen, he went to Switzerland before returned to the United States. Travelling back to the United States via the Queen Mary, Edward arrived in New York City and was discharged from Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. However, Edward decided to reenlist for another year in the Army and was sent to Camp Campbell, Kentucky, for the remainder of the additional year where he served as a chaplain’s assistant. He married Olga Barlow on June 20, 1948, and had two sons, Gary and Dennis Monighan. After being discharged from the Army, Edward worked at Omsted Airforce Base in Middletown, Pennsylvania, until it closed and then at the Navy Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After retirement, Edward helped to build and operate Six Links Mobile Home Park in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was part owner along with his family. Later in retirement, Edward enjoyed feeding bread to the birds and peanuts to the squirrels. Edward is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gary Monighan. He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Olga, son Dennis Monighan, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, daughter-in-law Barbara Monighan, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, grandsons Sean Monighan, wife Johanna, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Joshua Monighan, wife Jennifer, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and five great grandchildren, Matthaeas, Isacc, Brodie, Dyland, and Lydia Monighan. Services will be private at the discretion of the family.

Edward H. Monighan

June 23, 1926 - July 31, 2023