Gilbert Eugene Harris (66) of Newton

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Published on December 21 2016 6:34 am

Gilbert Eugene "Gene" Harris, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 6:12 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

A service celebrating the life of Gene, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 23, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton with Fr. Dean Probst officiating.  Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Newton  Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Thursday, December 22 at the church.  In loving memory of Gene, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas Church or School.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

Gilbert Eugene better known as “Gene” was born September 4, 1950, in Effingham, the son of Gilbert Owen Harris and Onorma (Baker) Harris.  He married Marlene Boehl November 28, 1970, at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church in the Bend, Jasper County, Illinois. Gene retired from the City of Newton after 37 ½ years of service with the Water Department.  He also owned and operated Gene’s Landscaping and for several years owned Gene’s Hobby Shop. Gene was a member of the Ste. Marie Sons of the American Legion Squadron #932.  He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, raising flowers, dancing and feeding the birds.

Gene is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marlene Harris of Newton; daughters, Karen (husband Billy, Jr.) Weston of Noble, Debbie (husband Jimmie) Goss of Newton; grandchildren, Levi Weston (fiancé Jeannie Baker), Tiffany Snow, Dusty Weston (Kesha Baker), Kendra (husband Jeramiah) Howze and Kollby Goss; great-grandchildren, Travette Tarpley, Xzandrea Burgund and Zeckariah Howze; sister, Rose Marie (Harry Dale) Douthit of Newton; brothers, Steve (wife Anita) Harris of Jamestown, Tennessee and Keith (wife Theresa) Harris of Newton.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother Danny Harris and sister Shirley Paul.