NORMAL — Eugene “Gene” H. Schaab of Normal joined his loving wife of 52 years on Wednesday (Nov. 6, 2013) at his home in Normal, after a brief illness.
Gene was born March 25, 1925, in Normal, to Lena H. Demler and Wilhelm G. Schaab. He married Glenna Holderby on Feb. 19, 1947.
A celebration of life will occur at a later date. Beck Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by three daughters, Lynda Rush, Bloomington; Marsha (the late Mike) McCleary, Hot Springs, Ark.; and Robin (Dan) Gould, Towanda.
He is also survived by six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren including, Ben (Lisa) Rush and their son, John, Aurora, Colo.; Cinthia (Charles Hollings) Rush, and children, Matthew and Nattalie, Bloomington; Drew (Keri) Rush, and sons, Jacob, Henry, Devyn and Chayse, El Paso; Patrick (Greer) McCleary, and son, Gavin, Maumelle, Ark.; Teri (Stephen) Wilson, and children, Taylor, Hunter and Cole, LeRoy; and Laura (Frank) Swope, and sons, Levi and Frank Jr., Bloomington; and four siblings, Arlene Prochnow Gittings, Leverne (Wayne) Bittner, Martha West and Oren (RoseAnn) Schaab.
Gene was educated at Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School and University High School, and attended Bradley University. He served in the U.S. Navy Pacific fleet on the USS Whitehurst during World War II. After 30 years at General Electric, Gene retired and started his own garage door business, Main Door. He was also involved in numerous organizations in Bloomington-Normal.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Glenna Holderby; and siblings, Bernice Lieble, infant twin brother, Gregory, and Joan Schaab.
The family requests memorials be made to University High School Alumni Association or a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Beck Memorial Home, 209 E. Grove St., Bloomington, IL 61701.
Condolences may be sent to www.beckmemorial.com.