Gene R. Emerick
Gene Emerick Yates City Gene R. Emerick, 81, of Yates City, died at 1:20 p.m., on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on October 1, 1935, in Elmwood, to James Gail and Bernice (Corbett) Emerick. He married Carol Reinhart on December 31, 1953. She survives. Other survivors include five children, Martin Marty (Dorothy Kay) Emerick of Yates City, Steven Emerick of Davenport, Iowa, Lisa (Steve) Staggs of Yates City, Terri (Doug) Cosby of Elmwood, and Cherri (Tom) Hoefft of Dunlap; one sister, Nancy (Bill) Sheppard; twelve grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Gene grew up on the farm and graduated from Brimfield High School in 1953. He served in the US Naval Reserves for 8 years from 1953-1961, completed two short courses at the University of Illinois in 1954-1955 and a 2 year certificate in HEVAC Engineering from Illinois Central College in 1975. Gene spent most of his professional life doing what he loved, farming. He also worked at Caterpillar, Proctor Hospital, Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception Convent, and later in life drove the school bus for Farmington Central School District. Gene was a membe...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
f the Methodist Church of Elmwood, the International Order of Odd Fellows, the American Legion and the Moose Lodge. Gene enjoyed tinkering in the machine shed, stamp and coin collecting, spending time with his family, playing cards, watching Westerns and reminiscing about who used to live in which houses in the old days! Gene was a generous soul to everyone in his family and was always there to help anyone in need. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood with a two hour visitation prior from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with military rites will immediately follow the service at Elmwood Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Easter Seals. Online condolences may be posted at www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.
