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BORN
1933
DIED
2016
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Gene Wilson Obituary
ELMWOOD - William Gene Wilson, 82, of Elmwood, Ill., passed away quietly on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at his home.
Gene, born Aug. 20, 1933, was the son of Elmer and Margaret Wilson of Elmwood. He married Shirley Rodgers on July 1, 1956, in Elmwood.
Surviving are his wife; their son, Mark Allen (Adi Jo) Wilson of Vergennes, Ill.; two daughters, Leslie Ann (Russell) Buhl of Peoria and Susan Marie (Jeff) Coulter of Elmwood; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, David (Mary) Wilson of Orlando, Fla.
Gene proudly served his country in the United States Army, as a Korean War veteran during 1953 and 1954. He was both honored and thrilled to have participated in the Honor Flight on June 3, 2014. He was an active member of American Legion, Korean War Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of Mohammed Temple AAONMS, Illinois Council No. 1 of Cryptic Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Peoria Commandery 3, Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria and Horeb Lodge 363 of Elmwood.
He and Shirley lived on and worked the Centennial Wilson Family Farm near Elmwood, raising their three children there.
He was an active Mohammed Shrine clown for many years, known as "Hubie Huddlefusser." Expertly made up and dressed in his clown costumes, he visited many in-hospital patients, children's birthday parties, nursing homes and countless parades.
Gene never met a stranger and truly enjoyed visiting with people.
Christmas Lane Originals was started by Gene and Shirley as a celebration of the Christmas season. This resulted in not only making decorations, but in the very large Christmas display on their farm. They hung original designs in several communities, for businesses and private homes.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 19, at the Hanna City Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to service. The Reverend David Kiethley will officiate. Private burial of ashes with military honors will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.
Haskell-Hott Funeral Homes in Princeville is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for Gene's family on his tribute wall at www.haskellhott.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gene Wilson
Sponsored by Haskell Funeral & Cremation Services - Princeville.
4 Entries
January 18, 2016
Shirley and family
We were sorry to hear about Gene, always a pleasure to visit you 2 will miss seeing and visiting with you both.
Lyle and Norma Goedeke
Martha Koll
January 18, 2016
Mr. Wilson will always have a special place in my heart! Loved working with him on a school project a few years ago. And it is so true he NEVER met a stranger. I pray God has welcomed him into Heaven and that your family will feel God's presence as you go through this time.
Sandra Foster
January 18, 2016
Shirley & family,
I was so sorry to hear about Gene's passing. I know you have had a long journey together, and now he is no longer at your side.
I pray you will find peace with the Lord's grace, and loving care. You have many friends, myself being one, that love you and will be praying for you.
Sandy & Curt Foster
Joan & Gene Carter
January 18, 2016
Condolences to Shirley and all the family from Charlotte Joan and Eugene Carter.
Shirley we know what a gentleman Gene was and can hardly believe he is gone. We also know something about your feelings, because we have been there too.
We easily recall the early days when you and your Rogers family lived next door in Elmwood. Then, the time the Crcus was in town and we met there with you and Gene. We had some fun laughs at the program
content.
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