Eugene Linder (May 06, 1949 - March 07, 2020)

In loving memory of
Eugene Linder
  • May 06, 1949
  • -
  • March 07, 2020

  • Obituary
  • Sign Tribute Wall
  • Send an E-Card
  • Light a Candle
  • Send Flowers
  • Photos

Obituary

Eugene “Gene” Linder, 70, of The Villages, FL, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 7, 2020. He was born May 6, 1949 in LaSalle, IL and grew up in Lostant, IL.

Gene graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1972. He married Kathleen August 19, 1972. They lived in the LaSalle area for a few years before moving to East Peoria, IL, in 1976. Gene proudly worked for Caterpillar Inc., as a Service Engineer for 33 1/3 years.

He took his family camping and sailing, coached softball, played basketball and softball, served as a volunteer firefighter and was always remodeling and repairing things.

After retirement, Gene and Kathy moved to The Villages, FL. An accomplished woodworker, Gene’s legacy lives on with special wooden trains he handcrafted for each of his five grandchildren, blanket racks for his daughters, a Hole-In-One plaque for the neighborhood and many beautiful pieces of furniture for their home.

In The Villages, Gene enjoyed visiting neighbors, spending time on the golf course, playing water volleyball, serving with the Knights of Columbus and ushering Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He was a member of The Villages Woodworkers Shop, St. Jude Friends in Hope Club, Operation Shoebox, Mickey Fanatics, Multiple Myeloma Support Group, and Kidney Disease Support Group.

Gene is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathleen (Stachowiak) Linder; daughter, Karen Kalinski and her husband, Michael; grandchildren, Brandon (16), and Nathan (13) of Stafford, VA; daughter, Michele Poleski and her husband, Anthony; grandchildren, Alexander (10), Eleanor (7), and Xavier (4) of Pearland, TX; Sister, Gloria Linder and her husband, Gray Gallogly, of Gilroy, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cletus and Mary (Mahnich) Linder.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 12 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 5323 E County Rd 462, Wildwood, FL 34785. The family will receive friends an hour before the Mass. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at 5:00 P.M. at the Riverbend Recreation Center, 1833 Corbin Trail, The Villages, FL 33585. All are welcome to attend both the mass and the celebration of Gene’s life. Due to the Lenten season, flowers are not allowed in the church. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Reasearch Hospital at: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/GeneLinder.

Family would like to thank friends and neighbors for their unending support.

Service

Location:
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church
5323 E Co Rd 462, Wildwood, FL 34785
Get Driving Directions



Date & Time:
March 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM



Visitation

Times:
March 12, 2020
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM



Location:
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church
5323 E Co Rd 462, Wildwood, FL 34785
Get Driving Directions


Send flowers to the family to show you care. Order Now

Tribute Wall

Leave a reply



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Roy Spitze says:
    18 Apr 2020
    Gene was my best friend during much of my growing up in the little town of Lostant, Illinois starting when I was 5 years old. He was a person with a good sense of humor, always thoughtful and full of kindness. I was amazed with his skill with mechanical things. In high school he completely disassembled and reconditioned the car engine for a 55 chevy. I hope I was as good a friend for him as he was for me. He visited me briefly here in Colorado 24 years ago. Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw him. I do know the world would be a much better place if there were more genuine men of character like Gene. He will be missed.

  2. Patrick Magarity says:
    12 Apr 2020
    I was fortunate to be involved with many volunteer organizations with Gene. He was involved with the YMCA Indian Princesses, Girls softball, grade school PTA. He valued using his time for family oriented activities. He was a great doer and I'm really appreciate what he did. I miss those times.

  3. Wes Hohulin says:
    14 Mar 2020
    I had a great relationship with Gene as we worked together in Service Engineering at Caterpillar. Always has a great smile and attitude. Gene was always someone whom I could count on for sound input into whatever circumstances we were dealing with. My sincere condolences for the loss of this great friend, your husband, father and grandfather. May he rest in true peace.

  4. Tami Dion says:
    11 Mar 2020
    Kathy.
    Gene was such a kind, funny. always smiling man who I feel blessed to know! My heart and prayers are with you all in the very difficult time.
    Tami Dion

  5. Mike and Gail Espinoza says:
    10 Mar 2020
    Mike first met Gene and Kathy when they were all students at Illinois Valley Community College. A few years later, Kathy and I taught together in Peru, IL--and Kathy kept telling me about a friend (Mike) she thought I should meet. She and Gene persuaded Mike to call me and ask me out; and as they say, the rest is history! Kathy was one of my bridesmaids, and Gene and Kathy were godparents for our daughter Laura. Although we moved to western New York, we frequently traveled back to IL to visit family and enjoyed many visits with Gene and Kathy and the girls when they lived in East Peoria. Gene was a wonderful guy who was devoted to Kathy and his girls. He will be sorely missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to know him as a friend. God bless Kathy, Karen, and Michelle.

    Mike and Gail Espinoza

  6. Ed & Barb Huff lit a candle:
    10 Mar 2020
    Lit since March 10, 2020 at 3:44:28 PM

  7. Rich Bowes Jr lit a candle:
    10 Mar 2020
    Lit since March 10, 2020 at 3:40:53 PM

  8. Rich Bowes Jr says:
    10 Mar 2020
    I had the pleasure of working with Gene at Caterpillar for over 20 years. Gene was a wonderful guy, he helped me learn the new job when I moved into his area at Cat, and was a mentor to me from that day on. He was generous with his time, and would do anything to help a friend. He had a Great sense of humor and we laughed often. He was devoted to his two girls, and his wonderful wife Kathy. He will be missed by so many of his lifelong friends here in Peoria, and his Caterpillar family.

    God Bless,

    Rich Bowes

Send an E-Card

Please select an e-card

    Required fields are marked *
     

    Note: The code below resets with every submit of the form
    captcha