Columbus
Ralph Eugene “Gene” Applewhite, 86, of Columbus, died at 3:08 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
He graduated from Brownstown High School and attended Hanover College. Mr. Applewhite was an avid golfer and lifetime member of the Elks Club, holding the office of Exalted Ruler.
Gene loved watching IU basketball and the Colts. He was a master griller throughout the entire year, not letting the cold weather be a deterrent.
Gene worked with Jackson County Sheriff’s Department from 1965 to 1972 and was a special deputy with Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department from 1972 to 1981. Gene was also a Kentucky Colonel.
Mr. Applewhite worked 37 years in advertising specialties at Winters Associates in Bloomington where he was top salesman for numerous years throughout the decades of his service. This included an unprecedented milestone career achievement for sales success in 2007. He never met a stranger.
Gene was born in Detroit, Michigan, August 4, 1930, to the late James and Aletha Hall Applewhite.
He married Dorothy Joan Woods. She preceded him in death in 1995. Gene was a longtime companion of Janet Evans, from 1974 until her death in 2012.
Survivors include his sons, Andy Applewhite and Erik (Barb) Applewhite, both of Seymour; stepdaughters, Lynn Evans (John) Coleman of Columbus and Karen Evans of Terre Haute; a sister, Nancy Applewhite Brown of Naples, Florida; and grandchildren Allison Baker, Winter Applewhite and Kasey and Maggie Evans.
Mr. Applewhite was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Applewhite; granddaughter, Autumn Applewhite; a daughter-in-law, Jane Applewhite; and a stepson, John Evans.
A celebration of life luncheon with family and friends will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Arrangements were made by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
