COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Gene was born March 28, 1926 on a farm in Plymouth, IN to Tillie and Oscar Gurthet. He was orphaned by the time he was 15 and raised by his aunts during the Great Depression. Gene was married to the love of his life, Mary June Gurthet for 66 wonderful years. She predeceased him in 2018.
Survivors include his daughters Libby (Jim) Arthur and Dottie (Mike) Cameron. Four grandchildren Jimmy (Kelsey) Arthur, John (Amy) Arthur, Abby (Mark) Caponegro, Anna (Jeremy) Elrod. Four great grandchildren Quinn Arthur, George Caponegro, Arthur Caponegro, Mary June Caponegro and Baby Elrod due in September.
Gene enlisted in the US Army in 1944 upon completion of his high school education. He was very proud of the fact that he served as a tank driver in the 3rd Armored Division in the European Theatre during World War II. Upon completion of the war he stayed in Germany cleaning up a concentration camp. He never spoke of the experience telling us that he wished to honor those who were killed as there are no words to describe this horror. After college, Gene attended Franklin College on the GI Bill where he met his wife, Mary June. He saw her at campus registration and knew immediately that someday she would be his wife. Gene was a loving and dedicated husband and nursed his beautiful wife through 12 years of Alzheimer’s disease.
Gene served as the Park and Recreation Director for the City of Columbus for many years. Many people fondly remember Gene giving them their first jobs at Donner Pool where employees were paid 35 cents an hour! Most people remember Gene as the Executive Director of the Columbus Boys Club for 27 years. He was a father figure to many boys who grew up to become hard working members of our community. Many young men remember the fun times had at the Columbus Youth Camp where Gene was the camp director for three weeks each summer. Upon retirement, Gene served on various committees such as the Agency on Aging organizing the Senior Games. Gene was also especially proud of working at Otter Creek golf course for over 20 years starting many golfers on the first hole each morning.
Gene was a member of First United Methodist Church since 1951. He was bestowed the Sagamore of the Wabash and Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonel’s award for outstanding civic achievements. He had the honor of being a Bartholomew County Bicentennial Torchbearer in 2016 at the age of 90! He was also the oldest and longest suffering Chicago Cubs fan in Bartholomew County.
Gene enjoyed reading about WWII history, playing golf, following Notre Dame Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Gene and his wife traveled the globe seeing many interesting places including the Soviet Union, China, Eastern and Western Europe, an Alaskan cruise, sailing through the Panama Canal and taking an African safari. Gene was a lifelong animal lover most especially their faithful friend Elly May.
The family wishes to thank the many special caregivers who took excellent care of Gene these last four years; GreenTree Senior Living Executive Director – Vicky Colson, Care Partners- Brandi, Angie, Brooke, Tammy and Dean. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, chaplain, aides at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient facility.
Gene will be buried at Garland Brook Cemetery in a private ceremony with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Reverend Howard Boles will be officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Barkes, Weaver and Glick Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at Columbus Youth Camp’s Noblitt Pavilion shelter house located at 12454 West Youth Camp Road, Columbus, IN 47201. Handicapped parking is available. Remarks will begin at 10 am. A light lunch will be provided at 11:30 am. Casual attire is recommended. All friends and family are invited. The family would especially welcome old Boys and Girls Club members, golfing friends and old acquaintances.
Memorials may be made to Bartholomew County Humane Society, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or the Foundation for Youth.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
