Gene Hildreth

MATTOON -- Gene Hildreth, age 73, of Mattoon, passed away at 5:59 a.m. Saturday, January 8, 2005 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Funeral services honoring his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Dickinson officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Cemetery with military rites by V.F.W. Post 4325. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Masonic Rites at 7:45 p.m.. Gene was born September 30, 1931 in Lafayette Township, Coles County, a son of Ted and Marjorie Defenbaugh Hildreth. He married Barbara Gaines February 21, 1954, she survives. Also surviving are his children, Gary Hildreth of Dallas, Texas, Karen Kelly of Tuscola and Jean Ferguson and husband Dave of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers, Bob and Bill Hildreth both of Mattoon and Jim Hildreth and wife Barbara of Douglasville, Georgia; and one sister, Nancy Fisher of Indiana. He also leaves grandchildren, Eric Gass of Mattoon, Jennifer Gass of Tuscola, Lindsey Hildreth of Dallas, Texas, Chelsey Kelly of Tuscola, Delaney Hildreth of Dallas, Texas, Ryan and Sarah Ferguson both of St. Louis, Missouri; and one great-grandson, Clayton Postlewait of Tuscola. Gene was a member of First United Methodist Church and was retired Lafayette Township Road Commissioner. He had formerly been employed at A&B Transfer and Bill Daily Excavating. Gene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 4325, Eagles and Moose lodges of Mattoon, Charleston Country Club, Toledo Lodge #834 A.F. & A.M., and was a 32nd degree Mason at the Danville Consistory. Gene dearly loved his wife of fifty years as well as his children, grandchildren and his many friends. In his leisure time, Gene could often be found tinkering with machinery and motors. He enjoyed travelling and working in his garden, but his favorite pastime was playing golf. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.