'Gene' Irwin

'Gene' Irwin

'Gene' Irwin, 95, died Saturday (June 7, 2008) at Newton Medical Center in Newton. He was born on Jan. 15, 1913, in Cantrall, Ill., the son of Frank W. and Fern (Wahl) Irwin. On Dec. 18, 1954, he married June E. Glasco in Jacksonville, Ill. She survives. Gene enlisted in the Air Corp Division of the U.S. Army on May 5, 1942, and was honorably discharged on Nov. 3, 1944. After moving to Kansas, Gene worked for Ewing Construction Co. of Hutchinson. He retired from there in April 1982.

He was a member of the American Legion in Newton and the Laborers Local No. 1290 of Topeka.

Gene liked hunting, fishing and gardening, especially his flowers. His also spent time doing a variety of woodworking.

He also is survived by several nephews and a niece; honorary family, Tom and Aimee Metzler and family, Melanie Hanna, Jane Winslow and family, all of Newton, and Butch and Sharon Leka of family of Riverton, Ill.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister.

Book signing will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.

Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel.

Private burial will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Newton Fire/EMS Department.