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Eugene Fekete Obituary

FEKETE Eugene "Gene" Fekete, age 88, of Columbus, died Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was a member of The Ohio State Football 1942 National Championship Team and the Inaugural Cleveland Browns Team, a veteran of the U. S. Army during WWII, a former Assistant Coach at OSU under Wes Fesler and Woody Hayes, an educator in the Columbus Public Schools, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by sons, Steven (Rhonda Hill) and Gary (Kathy) Fekete; grandsons, Kevin, Jeffrey (Tracey Doyle) and Nicholas (Zaneta Zygmunciak) Fekete; many other relatives and friends. A celebration of his life will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at First Community Church's South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43212, where friends will be received from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A reception will be held at the Guild Athletic Club, 1114 Ridge Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 immediately following the church service (approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday). Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL CHOICES, phone (614) 539-4508. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to: National Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 1373 Grandview Ave., Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43212 or the Woody and Anne Hayes Scholarship Fund (Fund #603024), OSU Dept. of Athletics, 810 Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from May 4 to May 12, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Fekete

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Charles Fekete

April 28, 2022

It´s hard to believe uncle Gene and my father for that matter have been gone for so long. Where has the time gone? I´m sure we all miss them as well as all their brothers and sisters. Go Buckeyes and Bobcats!

ann creamer

November 5, 2011

I just learned of the passing of Gene. My father, Hal Dean, also a member of the 1942 team passed away in February this year. I had the opportunity to attend several of the team reunions and remember Gene as the organizer and keeper of the gate. My sister also student taught for him when she attended OSU. I feel so lucky to have met your dad and the other great men on that 1942 team. God bless your family.
Ann Creamer, Texas

June 19, 2011

Dear Fekete Family,
Gene was the Vice Principal at North the year I graduated in 1967. He was a strict but very fair man, and he was just what our school needed perched on the edge of adulthood. Please accept my condolences.
Carol Barber Bien

vicki crooks

May 28, 2011

Mr.Fekete was my principal at Starling Jr. High. I always liked him. He was always fair and could make me smile when I didn't want to. May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.

May 16, 2011

Steve & Gary, Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday we were all young and never thought the inevitable would come. Uncle Gene was always my football idol, and comic relief, always made us laugh. He had one hell of a personality and leaves us with quite a legacy and precious memories. Love You Guys....Take Care BUTCH...Andy EUGENE Weninger

richard castle

May 13, 2011

please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. never knew him personally but knew of his many accomplishments. the family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rick Castle

Charles Fekete

May 12, 2011

Dear Steve, Gary, the Boys and Buckeye/Browns Nation,
Please accept my condolences on the lost of your father, grand father and my uncle. Instead of mourning his loss, let's celebrate his wonderful life, love for his wife, family, friends and country. Uncle Gene was so much like my father John in many ways. Take comfort knowing that they are together again with all of their brothers and sisters. I am so glad my brother and I took those two trips back east to visit with your mom and dad during the good times. Even though they are now gone, they will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Bonnie Williams Lacy

May 12, 2011

Dear Family,

I saw the notice online this morning and had to write. Mr. Fekete was my principal when I graduated from West High in 1964 and I've never forgotten him. I have many fond memories. May you be comforted in this difficult time.

Diane Madden

May 11, 2011

So sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and your family.
Diane Madden (Dublin, OH).

Chris Rano

May 10, 2011

One great loving, kind, & sharing Family, Mr. & Mrs. Fekete though missed, left us a great Family to carry on with. The Rano Family

Kellie O'Riordan

May 9, 2011

I cannot say enough about this sweet man! I'm so grateful to have known him, and always looked forward to our visits. My prayers are with the Fekete family. May the comfort of friends and family surround you and remind you of the tremendous impact this wonderful man had on so many peoples lives. Hugs & blessings,

Carole E. Simmons

May 5, 2011

To the Fekete family,
I was one of those young minds that Mr. Fekete molded at Starling Jr. High. I am so sorry for your loss. May you take comfort in knowing that so many were shaped for the better just for having him in their lives.

Kathy De Ring

May 5, 2011

My deepest sympathy to the Fekete family. In my daughter's (Dana DeRing) eyes, he and my father, Stanley Bahorek, fought the "Big One" and saved the world for democracy, practically by themselves! When Gene introduced himself to her class while serving as a substitute teacher at her middle school, he mentioned that he was a WWII veteran. Dana excitedly asked if he knew her grandfather. He asked her his name, and, sure enough, he did! What a thrill for her to find out that they had known each other during the war. Our nation has lost another fine member of The Greatest Generation. May he rest in peace.

R.C. Cohen

May 5, 2011

Dear Fekete Family,

So sorry to hear about Mr. Fekete passing. He was a wonderful and caring man. I really enjoyed being around him at the 1942 teams reunions. He was great to all the kids and grandkids of his teammates. He will be sorely missed.

Sincerely,

R.C. Cohen (Cy & Jean Souders grandson)

Jody Beall O'Brien

May 5, 2011

Steve and Gary,

Your father was a wonderful caring person. I will never forget his infectous laugh. When our fathers got together they loved to tell their stories. They were two great men. The Courier had an article about your father and WFIN ran an old interview with your dad. Findlay never forgot him. I plan to be there on Saturday to celebrate your father's life. With your father's passing an era, in my life, as ended.

God Bless,

Jim Kirk

May 5, 2011

Steve,
I was sorry to hear of your fathers passing last week. As recently as the Friday before I found it exciting to hear you talk of him and what a great life he lived. Your memories brought back my own childhood and I remember him well. I couldn't have known what his accomplishments would mean, but this Buckeye/Brown fan is proud to have known him.

May 5, 2011

Dear Fekete Family,
My name is Mia (Edwards) Fortin. You may not remember me but I grew up down the street from your family on Oxley Rd. I still remember seeing your dad as I would pass by as a young girl and I always thought he was a very nice man. Many times as I passed by that house in recent years I thought of your father and wondered how he was doing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fondly, Mia Fortin

Tom&Angie Mc Govern

May 5, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

May 5, 2011

Steve
I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. I'll be out of town and unable to attend the service. My thoughts and prayers are with your and your family.
Tom Twynham

Dana Bagwell

May 5, 2011

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Fekete. He was a superb man and set quite an example. Kevin, please know that Jon and I are thinking of you. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to be in touch. I just loved your grandpa! Take care.

Sandy

May 5, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Fekete and to all his Family. He use to be my principal at Starling Jr. High school when I was there in the 69/70's and I thought he was a great influence on all the kids, very kind and considerate. I'm sure he will be missed dearly. RIP sir

May 4, 2011

Thank you for your service to our country.

Blue Star Mothers of America
Buckeye Military Moms, Ch 9
Worthington/Cols. OH

May 4, 2011

STEVE AND FAMILY I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. YOU'RE IN MY PRAYERS. JANIE (BURGE)DICKERSON ,CLASS OF '65

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