Gene E. Wittenborn

Gene Wittenborn

Gene Earl Wittenborn was called Home by God Monday, July 7, 2014, at the age of 89 at his home. Gene was born Feb. 19, 1925 in Randolph County, the son of Phillip Carl and May Laura (Saunders) Wittenborn, who both preceded him in death. He was the youngest of nine children.

Gene married Frances Biethman April 23, 1949. After 65 years of marriage, it was still apparent she was his greatest joy - the love of his life. Gene and Frances had six daughters, Jeanne (Robert) Finley, Deb (Don) Lehman, Pam (Glen) Campbell, Cathy (Stan) Hess, Laura (Joe) Deutschmann and Becky Rhodes. They were blessed with 18 grandchildren, Clay (Jenny) Finley, Joel Finley, Noah Finley, Sarah Finley, Hannah Finley, Jonathan Finley, Chris (Robert) Luton, Joe (Ashley) Pickett, Abby (Nathan) Graham, Jennifer (Corey) Rheinecker, Brandy (Eric) Steely, Tom Hess, Angela (Tommy) Craig, Amy (Ethan) Buch, Adam (Mindy) McBride, Clint McBride, Nick (Lindsie) Rhodes and Zachary Rhodes; and 21 great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Anika, Jacob, Evie, Henry, Spencer, Drew, Jenna, Jaxson, Samuel, Allison, Sydney, Hunter, Madeline, Cate, Will, Ellaina, Callie, Matthew, Gabrielle and Elise. After Frances, his daughters and their families were his greatest source of happiness. Most Sundays you could drive by Hillcrest Drive and see a driveway filled with cars and, on occasion, a freezer of ice cream being cranked on the patio. He was truly a family man.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Raymond, Vernon, Harold and Roger; and four sisters, Mabel, Erma, Florence, and Dorothy.

Gene was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sparta. He served on the Sparta Airport Board and as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman. Gene retired from Spartan Printing in 1990 after 28 years.

Gene loved to be outdoors. He and Frances were members of the Spartan Good Sam Camping Club and spent many years camping with the group. He enjoyed a good game of golf, a day in the garden, or an afternoon fishing.

He and Frances also sought out antique stores and flea markets. Together they enjoyed traveling and visited 38 states. During the holidays, he took pride in decorating their house with thousands of Christmas lights -inside and out. Gene enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Sparta, Ill. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcdanielfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2014, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Sparta, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Sparta, Ill. Interment will be in Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Ill.

McDANIEL & LEE FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Sparta, Ill.