Eugene J. Potaczek

1953 - 2021

BORN

1953

DIED

2021

Eugene Potaczek Obituary

Eugene J. Potaczek
Born: January 30, 1953 in Chicago, IL
Died: December 23, 2021 in Amboy, IL
AMBOY-Eugene J Potaczek, 68, of Amboy, passed away unexpectedly while tending to his land and animals that he loved and took great pride in doing.
Eugene was born January 30, 1953 in Chicago.
Eugene could accomplish anything you put before him and did it with great pride. He was a talker and a storyteller "If you know what I mean" and those traits made him who he was.
Survivors include his fiance, Susan; sons, David (Carrie) Potaczek, Chris (Lori) Potaczek and Benny (Kim) Potaczek; his sister, Judy Potaczek; brother, Steve Potaczek, Jr; five granddaughters and one grandson. Also including Susan's family, her mother; four sisters; two brothers; his cherished dog, Abbey and his great neighbors that were always there to help.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sauk Valley News from Dec. 30, 2021 to Jan. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Potaczek

12 Entries

Anthony Potacki

July 27, 2024

Uncle Gene, I have been reminiscing about you for awhile. I was very sorry to hear you passed. I know if I saw you today it would be a good a time. Advice you gave me as a child still lives on with me now.

I did good for myself. I wish I could show you.

I am sorry your light does not grace this world anymore

You will always be influential in my life

Steve J. Potaczek, Jr.

February 23, 2022

My brother Eugene was an adventurous, bold, macho and outgoing man. He loved the outdoors and had a lifelong passion for hunting; he was a crack shot and bagged many pheasants and deer in his time. Gene was always on the go. He loved taking long trips on his Harley, was a craftsman, a mechanic, and a creative "do it yourselfer". A trucker for over 40 years, Eugene worked for Bonfield, Inman, Campbell and Yellow. He even founded GTO Trucking in his younger years with Tom and Otis. Eugene loved his farm and land. He enjoyed raising cattle and working on his place. He was a dependable, level headed, hardworking story teller who enjoyed his beer! I can remember him now as a precocious 5 year old with curly hair, dressed in his Davey Crockett outfit; and as ring bearer at Bonnie´s wedding, leaping up to catch the bridal bouquet... the bride had to do a second toss! My brother will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Judy

January 30, 2022

Thinking of you today, Gene. I truly miss our conversations, sharing our thoughts, opinions, memories, what was going on in our lives, and the stories you would tell. I cherish those conversations and many memories.
You excelled in all you did; playing many sports when young, driving a stock car and winning, and being on target when hunting. Our Mom was so proud of you. You were a jack of all trades to include plumbing as learned from our Dad, and you were a skilled semi driver living up to your childhood nickname, "Truck".
You lived an amazing life, always finding adventure and living life to the fullest. You took on countless challenges, were an entrepreneur indulging in various projects; finally settling on breeding a few cattle. I know you had so much more planned.
You have made an impression on all those your have touched. Your memory, stories and jokes will live on through your family and many friends.
You are in my heart and memories. Love and miss you Gene.
1/30/2022

Marlene Draus

January 7, 2022

My deepest sympathy to the Potasczek Family on the sudden loss of Eugene. He was my 7th an 8th grade Language Arts student at Charles J. Sahs School.

May you have peace remembering all the good times.

My deepest sympathy to the Potaczek Family on the loss of Eugene. He was my 7th and 8th grade Language Arts studet at

Kim

January 6, 2022

I don´t think I will ever forget meeting Gene for the first time. Upon meeting him I thought "I don´t ever want to make him angry." But the more we got to know one another and time went on I realized that under his tough exterior, he was funny, outgoing, loved to share his stories, loved being outdoors working on just about anything or hunting, took pride in every single thing he did, he was a teacher to his sons and our children Jayden and Gage ( aka Grandpa Gene´s Little Prince) and Autumn, Megan, Ashley and Taylor. He was great-great Grandfather to Gio. He was so much more than his tough exterior would have you believe.
My favorite memory of Gene was at our wedding. The smile on his face was priceless and he is the only person I know that started a mosh pit at a wedding! Yep, to the Pantera song Walk which he requested! Ben and I still laugh when we think of that memory!
I am so truly happy that he found his joy, his beautiful land, his cattle, and someone that brought out the best in him and made his life complete. This is something we all strive for in life, finding our joy; and he followed his heart and found it and for that we are so grateful.
Through the grief of losing him we try to remember all of the wonderful moments he shared with us.
His memory will forever live on with his many stories and the special moments he has created through the years. The memory boxes kept by our children remind us of so many of these wonderful moments, which they feel so blessed to have. Honestly, I could write on forever about so many things about Gene.
Remember how much you were and always will be loved. You will be truly missed and forever in our hearts!

Bett Potaczek

January 3, 2022

My mom let the family know, and we were so sorry to hear about cousin Eugene's passing. The Ben and Dorothy Potaczek family sends our deepest sympathy. So many memories of him (and of course, Uncle Steve, his dad.) Rest in peace.

Jill Groth

January 2, 2022

You will be missed here a lot. You would stop by the house and visit or just drive by and honk. I always knew you were just down the road for all my critter problems. You and Winston always talked about the cows and you chose to name your first calf on the farm after him(Baby Winston). It meant a lot to him. Then you always kept Frank a path mowed to the river so he could go fishing. Thank you for all you done for us. Rest in peace

Rich Trella

January 1, 2022

My heart goes out to brothers Dave, Chris and Ben. I´m very sorry for your loss. Dave and Chris, I still remember the Christmas day long ago when I first met you guys and your dad! I can still recall the awesome gift one of you received from your dad of that model engine with all the light effects when put together! Many years later all of us received another gift, the birth of our baby brother Ben! Rest In Peace Gene knowing you are the father of three special sons!

Jill Groth

January 1, 2022

You will be missed around here. From the visits and always there to lend a hand and I will not know who will get my critters when they cause havoc. Rest in peace

Cindy and TJ

January 1, 2022

Thank you for sharing a portion of your life with us and all your love with Sue. Rest knowing you are not here but will be with all of us "nichols" forever.

Wanda and Ed

December 31, 2021

We are really going to miss your smile. And the way you talked " if you know what I mean "

Susie

December 31, 2021

I will miss you forever
MY Gentle Giant", and that next smile of yours, Abbey will be well taken care of, I will abide by your wishes always

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