Charles Eugene "Gene" Church, age 94 of Elwood, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood surrounded by his family after an extended illness. He was born August 2, 1918 in North Wilkesboro, NC, the son of Charles Earl and Cordia Belle (Duncan) Church. He worked as a machine repairman for Perfect Circle / Dana Corporation in Tipton for over 30 years retiring in 1976. He was a 1937 graduate of Summitville High School. Gene was drafted on October 1, 1941 into the U.S. Army and served in World War II until May 15, 1945. He was assigned to Company I-106 Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, and was stationed in Hawaii. He fought in the Pacific and was wounded in the Battle of Saipan. While in the military, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, the B.A.R. Expert and M.I. Sharpshooter designations. Gene married Wilma Jane Hinds on August 12, 1949. He was active with the Washington Elementary School P.T.A. for many years and also a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Elwood where he served as Deacon, Trustee, and Moderator. He was an active member of the Quincy Masonic Lodge #230 for 62 years serving as Junior Steward, Senior Steward, Junior Warden, and was the 2003 Mason of the Year. Gene was a man of great faith and strength which showed through his generous and nurturing character. He was also a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always put his family first and enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening, traveling, spending time with friends and relatives, watching baseball, basketball, and football; and especially enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports. He will be missed by all who knew him.

His family includes a daughter, Jane (husband Mike) Tracy of Elwood; son-in-law, Dick Reynolds of Elwood; granddaughter, Sarah (husband Chad) McCorkle; 2 grandsons, Aaron Reynolds and Kurt (wife Cheryl) Scharff; 3 great-grandchildren, Karah McCorkle, Gracie Scharff, and Kole Scharff; special friend, Ruth McGuire of Elwood; several step-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law; 2 nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Wilma Jane (Hinds) Church who died July 23, 2010; daughter, Dixie Reynolds; brother, Joe Church; 3 sisters, Dorothy Elsworth, Thelma Castor, and Betty Daugherty; nephew, Stephen Daugherty; and niece, Sharon Castor.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, March 18, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Josh Carney of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Elwood officiating. Burial will take place in the Elwood City Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Military and the Elwood V.F.W. / American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 PM Sunday, March 17, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. A Masonic Lodge memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM on Sunday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the First Missionary Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to: www.copherfeslermay.com.