Eugene Evandale "Gene" Hylton

Eugene Evandale "Gene" Hylton Augusta Eugene Evandale "Gene" Hylton, age 84, formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan, died on Monday evening, December 28, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gene was born on May 29, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the son of Elmer and Ruby C. (Whelchel) Hylton. At an early age, Gene and his family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where as a youngster he excelled in baseball, tennis and basketball. He was a 1943 graduate of Battle Creek Lakeview High School. Gene served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a Ship Fitter, 3rd Class aboard the NTS Farragut and Idaho during the Asiatic-Pacific campaigns. After the war, in 1946, Hylton joined the Michigan National Bank as a mail boy. He was a graduate of the Mortgage Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking at Northwestern University and the American Institute of Banking, and the Banking School at the University of Michigan. His service to the Michigan National Bank continued for many years finally culminating as Vice President of Consumer Lending, a position he held until his retirement in 1984, after 55 years of faithful service. Gene was President of the Battle Creek-Kalamazoo chapter of the Administrative Management Society. In 1987, he was elected as President of the Board of the Battle Creek Child Guidance Center. He was active in various community organizations including the American Red Cross, the Battle Creek Kiwanis, the United Way of Greater Battle Creek, and the Boys Scouts of America. Gene was known throughout the area for his excellent woodworking skills but his true passion in his retirement was his well-groomed yard and incredible flower gardens that were always displayed so beautifully for travelers on M-89 in Augusta. On June 1, 1946, in Battle Creek, Gene was united in marriage to the former, Virginia E. "Ginny" Lemon. Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Ginny; his daughter, Christina L. "Christy" (Mark) Connell of Augusta; his son, Brent E. (Marilyn) Hylton of Scottsdale, Arizona; his six grandchildren, Rachel (Leighton) Sage, Chris (Andrea) Hylton, Joshua Hylton, Corey Connell, Ashlee Connell and Logan Connell; a great grandson, Brendan Sage and two sisters, Margie (Richard) Loder of Battle Creek and Marilyn (Jay) Mossman of Baltimore, Maryland. Gene was preceded in death by his parents. At the request of his family, friends may call on Sunday, January 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue. The funeral service to celebrate Gene's life will be held on Monday, January 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, 8047 Church Street, 49083, with the Reverend Dr. Mark W. Jennings, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, with full, military honors bestowed by the U.S. Navy and the Fort Custer Honor Guard. Memorial contributions in Gene's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2300 Portage Street, Suite 341, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49001 or Hospice Care of Southwestern Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007. Personal messages for the family may be directed to www.farleyestesdowdle.com.