Harold Eugene SHUTT

1926 - 2015

Harold Eugene "Gene" Shutt

SPRINGFIELD - Harold Eugene "Gene" Shutt, 88, died at 6:50 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at St. John's Hospital.

He was born April 10, 1926, in Bloomington to Andrew E. and Berzie E. Roberts Shutt. He married Jean L. Wiese on Nov. 23, 1946, and she preceded him in death on April 24, 2012.

Survivors include four daughters: Marjorie (Wayne) Fox of Vonore, Tenn., Joyce Geary of Springfield, Lynn (Wendell) Webb of Springfield and Donna (Ed) Fike of Sturgeon, Mo.; four sons: Ken (Phyllis) Shutt of Rochester, Roger (Michelle) Shutt of Springfield, Bruce (Nancy) Shutt of Glenarm and Doug (Barb) Shutt of Glenarm; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren with two on the way; one great-great-grandchild; three sisters: Margaret (Geno) McClure-LaVorante of Ypsilanti, Mich., Mary Ann (Rev. Richard) McCloy of Lexington, S.C., and Martha (Merrill) Orns of El Paso, Ill.; four brothers: Robert Dyer of Foristelle, Mo., James (Shirley) Shutt of Las Vegas, Nev., Donald (Mary) Shutt of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and David (Nancy) Shutt of Bloomington, Ill.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ervin F. Shutt; son, Eldon E. Shutt; and granddaughter, Lindsay Shutt.

Gene was an Army Air Corps Veteran serving during WWII. He graduated from the University of Illinois and was a resident of Springfield for 64 years. An engineer by trade, his life's work was for the Illinois Commerce Commission. Mr. Shutt was instrumental in bringing the Illinois Gas Safety Act, the Gas Pipe Line Safety Standards, the One Call utility notice system, "J.U.L.I.E.", and a standardized color marking system for underground utilities to fruition. He also served on national committees that established like laws and rules across the nation. He was Chairman of the Natural Gas Subcommittee of the National Association of Utilities Commissioners for more than 20 years and served as Chairman of numerous state committees on energy. He manned the State of Illinois' Hot Line for oil, gasoline, natural gas shortages during the energy crisis of 1968. He was also a Hearing Officer for the Commission for more than 30 years and conducted proceedings covering utility rate increases, certification of public utility facilities, and consumer complaints and much more. He developed several General Orders for the Commission's adoption establishing rules and regulations for the filing of rates, rate case submissions, standards of service and standards of consumer credit, among others.

He enjoyed bowling and was a member of the State House Bowling team for 50 years.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Little Flower Church, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL.

Lie-in-State: 9:30-10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Little Flower Church.

Funeral Mass: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Little Flower Church with the Rev. John Nolan officiating.

Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Thayer Cemetery Association (family maintained historic cemetery) or Church of the Little Flower.

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