Edwin E. "Gene" Champion

Edwin E. "Gene" Champion July 24, 1926 - October 4, 2018 Edwin E. "Gene" Champion was born July 24, 1926, in Oto Township, Woodbury County, Iowa, the youngest child of Edwin G. and Katherine Null Champion. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Methodist Church in Mapleton. Gene was raised in Monona County where he attended country school. He graduated from Mapleton High School with the class of 1944 where he was a member of the Mapleton DeMolay. Gene entered the U.S. Army in March 1945, and after basic training in Texas was transferred to Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, where he served in Company I of the 77th Infantry Division. In the spring of 1946 that division was deactivated and he was assigned to the 13th Air Depot Group near Tokyo. He returned to the United States for his discharge in November 1946. In the fall of 1951, Gene met Lila Hall while both were working at Suiter and Company, a hatchery in Mapleton. They were married on March 14, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Smithland, Iowa and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They moved to Denison after their marriage and lived there for 62 years. Their union was blessed with two children: Alice and Craig. Gene worked as feed mill foreman for Tenhulzen's Hatchery and Feed in Denison from February 1953 through November 1968 and then worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation until his retirement in September 1988. Gene was a member of Denison's First United Methodist Church for over 60 years and served on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees, Usher's Committee, and United Methodist Men. He was active in Denison's American Legion Post 8 as adjutant, chaplain, and a member of the funeral honor guard. He was also a member of Golden K Kiwanis, coached Legion Senior League baseball for many years, and participated in several bowling leagues. Gene and Lila had several close friends they would spend time with, but he especially loved seeing his children and grandchildren. After health challenges, Gene and Lila moved to Papillion to be closer to their family. On October 4, 2018, Gene passed away at Bergen Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 92 years. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Roger O'Connor. Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Lila Champion of Papillion, Nebraska; daughter Alice O'Connor of Papillion, Nebraska; son Craig and wife Sharon Champion of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren: Katie (Clint) Williams of Lakehills, Texas, Brent Champion of Lenexa, Kansas, Andrew (Lisa) O'Connor of Denver, Colorado, and Brandon (Laura) Champion of Omaha, Nebraska; great grandchildren: Coltin Williams, Brayden Champion, and Kailey Champion; brother-in-law, Raymond Hall; sister-in-law, Charlotte Johnson; six nieces, four nephews; other relatives and friends. Memorial Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa with Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Music for the service included a solo of "Abide with Me" by Larry Boeck and congregational hymns of "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" with Nancy Miles serving as accompanist. Honorary Pallbearers were Katie O'Connor Williams, Brent Champion, Andrew O'Connor and Brandon Champion. Military Rites were provided by American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mapleton, Iowa. Following services everyone was invited to a luncheon at the church provided by United Methodist Women and Hy-Vee. A visitation was held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. The Pauley Jones Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.