James E. Soliday, 66, Punxsutawney,  PA died on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Jefferson Manor, Brookville. He was born on August 28, 1945, in Dubois, a son of the late James Edward and Anna Gertrude (Wachob) Soliday. On August 4, 1968, he married Ruth Manners of Cloe. He graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1963 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit, retiring as a Commander in 1992. He served in Vietnam from 1967-1968, where he received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Combat V. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association, and the Fleet Reserve. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1992 from Regents University of New York. He was a former Commander of Big Run VFW Post 9044, District 19 VFW, and the American Legion John Jacob Fisher Post 62 of Punxsutawney. In addition to his wife, surviving relatives include a daughter Jennifer Soliday of Punxsutawney; a son Jeffrey Soliday of Ft. Meade, Maryland; an “adopted son” Mearl Charley of Altoona; a brother William Soliday and wife Yvonne of Cloe; a sister Patricia Miller of Ohio; seven nieces and three nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Carol Klein of Ohio, and two infant siblings Kathy and Paul Soliday. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the Deeley Funeral Home, Punxsutawney. A service by the VFW and the American Legion will be held at 7 pm, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, April 5, 2012, at the funeral home with Mark Cantaral and James Whited officiating. Interment will be in Lakelawn Memorial Park, Reynoldsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to VFW Post 9044 Big Run, c/o 412 Albion Rd, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 or to the McClure Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 21, Big Run.