Eugene "Gene" Woolsey

1931 - 2012

GALESBURG - Mr. Eugene Neil "Gene" Woolsey, 81, Galesburg, died at 5:36 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Seminary Manor Nursing Home.
He was born Feb. 7, 1931, in Galesburg, the son of Lloyd B. and Evelyn Darnell Woolsey. Gene was the beloved husband to Greta Mae Bradburn. They married on March 7, 1953, in Galesburg. She survives.
Gene also was the loving father to his children, his son, Gregory Neil (Patti) Woolsey of Galesburg; his two daughters, Gay Anne (Gary) DeFilippo of Galesburg and Gayle Anne Haun of Moline. Gene was the devoted grandfather of seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Matthew) Johnson, Heather (Paul) Grabosch, Michelle Woolsey, Matthew (Shannon) Kunkle, Scott (Beth) Kunkle, Megan Kunkle, Lauren Haun; and his three stepgrandchildren, Lauren Benak, Andrea (Lucas) Dooley and Nicole (Ryan) Convery.
He was the caring great-grandfather of Addison Johnson, Isabella Johnson, Jayden Kunkle and Emma Kunkle and the caring stepgreat-grandfather to Caleb Johnson, Nik Erickson, Lainey Benak, Attalia Bassett, Aithen Bassett, Baylor Convery and Reece Convery. He was the fond brother of Shirley Wright of Metamora, Marilynn Gaisford of Galesburg, Ronald (Marilyn) Woolsey of Brookfield, Wis., and Gary Woolsey of Galesburg. In addition, Gene was a fun and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nancy (Woolsey) Griffith; an infant grandson; and his brother-in-law, Charles M. Gaisford.
Gene graduated from Galesburg High School in 1948. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He worked for Intra-State Telephone Company for 38 years. Gene was a member of the Telephone Company Retirees and Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285.
He enjoyed playing and listening to music. He loved photography, traveling and entertaining his family and friends via the Internet. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gene will be greatly missed by many friends and family.
Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. The Rev. Allen Mothershed will officiate. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the chapel. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, with military rites by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285. Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.