Eugene House

Eugene L. House

"Gene"

Age 87 of Wilmington, passed away Saturday morning April 23, 2011 at Rosewood Care Center in Joliet.

Born November 23, 1923 in DuQuoin, Illinois, Gene was a son of the late: Lyle and Lora Weaver-House. He was a Veteran of The United States Army Air Corp and served for three years in the Signal Corp, of which 2 years he toured Africa and Italy. On October 13, 1946, Gene married Joann Wagner and she survives. He was employed for 30 years with Caterpillar Tractor Company and during his tenure with Caterpillar, Gene earned his Bachelor's degree, as well as completed his graduate studies at Governors State University. In 1980 Gene purchased Singleton's Gift Shop in Wilmington, and in 1985 it was combined with the flower shop, operating as House's Flowers and Gifts at 202 South Water Street in Wilmington for 25 years. Gene was a former school board member for Joliet Township High School; former member of the Wilmington Lions Club and belonged to the Malcolm J. Mayo VFW Post #5422 in Wilmington. Gene truly enjoyed traveling, and had fond memories of traveling to China, Russia and Europe. He can also be remembered as an avid reader.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years Joann; four children: Thomas (Janet) House of Washington Island, Wisconsin, Don House of Plainfield, Michael (Laurel) House of Mendota and Connie (Joe) Hermes of Wilmington; twelve grandchildren: Brian House of Joliet, Elisabeth (Chad) Rosenwinkle of Chesterfield, Virginia, Michael K. (Heather) House of Orlando, Florida, Malinda (Mark) D'Angelo of Washington D.C., Jacob House of Dallas, Texas, Kjerestina (Steve) Morris of Mendota, Kevin House of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dylan House of Gladespring, Virginia, Matthew Hermes and Lauren Hermes, both of Wilmington, Britta House of Mendota and Erin House of Plainfield; six great grandchildren: Feenex House, Tristan House, Dane Rosenwinkle, Tyler House, Chase Rosenwinkle and Dominik Morris; one sister-in-law Wilma Jacobsgaard of Holland, Michigan and several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Marge Stevens and Ruth Irvin.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday April 27, 2011 from 11:00AM until time of funeral service 1:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Pastor Chris Beamsley from Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington will officiate. Burial with full military honors provided by the Malcolm J. Mayo Post Color Guard and the United States Army will follow at 2:30PM in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood with Gene's grandchildren acting as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Gene's memory to The Malcolm J. Mayo VFW Post #5422, 557 West Baltimore Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or The Wilmington School District 209-U Foundation for Excellence, 209U Wildcat Court, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)