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Eugene Carter Obituary
Eugene was born to Paul and Helen Carter in Wichita, KS on July 7, 1929. He married Shirley Lear on September 2, 1951. She survives, as well as Joel (Barb) Carter of Washington, IL, Cynthia (Ted Allen) Miller of Clarksville, TN, and Andrew Carter of South Elgin, IL. He has eight grandchildren; Matthew (Kate) Carter, Peoria, IL, Laura (Nick) Burke, Normal, IL, Michelle (Phil) Wolfe, Tremont, IL, Brandt (Emily) Miller, Fort Wayne, IN, Lauren Miller, Milwaukee, WI, Jessica Carter, Elgin, IL, Megan Carter, Jackson Hole, WY and Ryan Carter, South Elgin, IL. He has 4 great grandchildren; Grace, Olivia, Evelyn and Jack.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, sister Louise, and his twin brother Joe.
He was a postal clerk for New Richland, MN at age 14 and attended high school and junior college in Garden City, Kansas. He became a butter maker at Edwins Dairy and drove a school bus during his college days. He responded to God's invitation to the preaching ministry and began preaching at Pierceville Federated Church in Pierceville, Kansas at the age of 19. He served five different churches during college in Garden City and Southwestern College.
He received a seminary degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and his Masters from Northwestern University. Gene served United Methodist churches in Northern Illinois, including in Elmhurst, Crete, Geneva, Libertyville and First United Methodist Church Elgin, from where he retired. He also served on many district and conference committees. For ten years, he was one of six writers for Dr. Norman Vincent Peale responding to prayer request letters from around the world. Seven months after retirement from Elgin, he was asked to serve part-time for six weeks at the United Methodist church in Ingleside, IL. Six weeks became fifteen years after which he retired again.
Gene enjoyed nature, fishing, arrowhead hunting, tennis, and running. He was a true minister until his last day, sharing the love and grace of Christ to all he came in contact with.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Journey of Hope United Methodist Church in Elgin, IL. Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. one hour prior at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded.
In lieu of flowers please, donate to the charity or ministry of your choice in Gene's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Kim Schnoor
October 26, 2024
Gene´s legacy lives on and his presence is strongly felt among the congregation he served in Ingleside (now Joyful Spirit UMC). He taught us how to serve, and his teaching and preaching continues to be a gift. We miss him here and are so grateful that he was with us for 15 years, along with his wonderful life partner, Shirley.
Jean Chase Gewin
November 3, 2023
I met Gene Carter at Elmhurst Methodist Church when I was a child. My parents were great caretakers of pastors in all the churches they attended, and from them I learned to value the gift of those who give us the gift of understanding God's grace. I most remember the day my mother, Edna Chase, gave her mother's sterling silver teaspoons to Reverend Carter. He protested and insisted they should remain in her family. She told him we are all family and he would need them to entertain the ladies in WSCS on occasion. She would not take no for an answer. Many years later, he attended the retirement of Reverend Tom Ostrander at First United Methodist Church of Princeton, Illinois, and we reminisced about my parents. He offered to send the spoons back. I laughed and reminded him that my mother would return from her heavenly home with her same insistence that a gift was a gift. Together we laughed, and I treasure that memory of a kind and generous pastor who touched so many lives. May he now rest in the arms of his Lord and Savior, who, I'm sure will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." God bless all of you who loved him.
Sara Wennerstrom
November 3, 2023
Will be missed by so many! Pastor Gene was the reason for us joining the Ingleside United Methodist Church well over 20 yrs ago! He was so inspiring to listen to on Sundays.
The Wennerstrom family
Thomas and Mary (Macior) Clough
November 3, 2023
Met Gene on the first day we looked at buying the house next to his. He wanted to be sure we liked the neighborhood. Great guy to sit and talk to.
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Melody Measells Meyer
November 2, 2023
Mr. Carter was a special man. I have fond memories of eating fish together, walks where it was hard to keep up, long talks by the fire and at the kitchen table, his warm smile, and a very special note at my wedding.
My prayers for sweet and special Mrs. Carter and the family. May your memories bring you comfort. A special man who is now in heaven.
Estelle Beaumont
November 1, 2023
Such a wonderful pastor and friend! My prayers are with Shirley and the family at this difficult time.
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