Eugene "Gene" Severa

Eugene "Gene" Severa, age 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Gene loved fishing and spending vacations in the North Woods of Wisconsin each summer and visiting our favorite Supper Clubs. There were many fishing contests which resulted in purchasing counters because pencil marks on the side of the boat walls were no longer long enough. In the end, I think we were pretty even. Gene also became a true Camper from his first tent camping trip to upgrades to an Air Conditioned PopUp with our best friends, and teaching his grand daughter how to fish. Gene also had an unusual talent when meeting a complete stranger in a hotel elevator. He could start up a friendly conversation and by the time we arrived at the lobby some 3-4 floors later, he knew why the person was in town, where they were from, how many kids they had, etc. - call it a gift of gab, but it always amazed me how easy it was for him to talk with strangers. I'm sure that is why he also enjoyed his years working as a TSA agent at O'Hare Airport and being a member of Grand Wishes at Grand Haven. He was also an avid Train lover and a member of the Chicago Chapter Train Club. Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Severa; his dear son Michael (Meg) Severa; his granddaughter Mikayla Severa; his fond sister Rita (the Late Homer) Schilling; his dear sister-in-law Mary Ann (the Late Edward) Severa and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ann. Memorial Visitation to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 1-4pm at Anderson Memorial Home, 21131 W Renwick Rd Plainfield, IL 60544 with a service to begin at 3:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hoosier Valley RR Museum (507 Mulberry St, North Judson, IN 46366; www.hoosiervalley.org; 574-896-3950) or the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (10360 Hall of Fame Dr, Hayward WI, 54853; www.freshwater-fishing.org; 715-634-4440)