Sam Battalia Jr., age 92, of Webb City, Mo., passed away at 6:05 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Carthage, Mo., after a lengthy illness.

Sam was born Feb.16, 1916, in Webb City, the son of the late Sam and Floy Battalia. After Sam graduated from the Webb City High School in 1934, he enrolled in the Joplin Business College. He then enlisted in the Army, serving his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged from Ft. Lewis, WA at the rank of Tech Sgt. Sam retired from the Atlas Powder Company after more than 35 years of service. He was the Office Manager in the sales office. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church. Sam was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time at his lake house on Grand Lake.

He had also enjoyed playing baseball, having played for the Joplin Miner’s. One of Sam’s greatest joys in life was his love for golf. He was a member of the Briarbrook Country Club and he will always be remembered for his hole in one at the young  age of 81.

Sam married Ruth B. Hightower in Webb City on November 30, 1946. She preceded him in death on Feb. 15, 2001. He was also preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

He is survived by one son, Duane Gibb and his wife Judy, of Friendswood, Texas; two daughters, Janice Yentes and her husband Jesse, of Lancaster, Calif., and Wanda Spencer, of Carthage; eight grandchildren, Mike Gibb and his wife Cathy, of Friendswood, Mitch Gibb and his wife Trish, of Pasadena, Texas, Matthew Gibb and his wife Vera, of Pearland, Texas, Debby Orr and her husband Chris, of Sarcoxie, Mo., Scott Spencer, of England, Ark., Jennifer White and her husband Pete, of Lamonte, Mo., David Yentes and John Yentes, both of CA; and 12 great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were at 2 p.m. today at the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home in Webb City. Reverend Bruce Bray officiateed. Burial was in Mount Hope Cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers.

The family received friends at the funeral home from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Memorial contributions have been requested to the Central United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home.