Eugene Joseph "Gene" Schmillen Obituary (1924 - 2016)

Eugene Joseph "Gene" Schmillen, 92, of Normal, died at 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2016 peacefully at his home with his family by his side.His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 26, 2016 at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Monsignor Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Friday at the church.Memorials may be directed to Epiphany Catholic Church or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.He was born April 10, 1924, son of William Joseph and Rose Marie Ehrnthaller Schmillen. He married Della I. Kinkade on January 20, 1951 in Streator. He was preceded in death by his wife, Della on February 8, 2016 and also preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.Surviving are 6 children, Edward Eugene Schmillen of Metamora, David Alvin Schmillen of Normal, Gregg Anthony Schmillen of Phoenix, AZ, Karen Marie (Matt) Carroll of Cumming, GA, Kevin Andrew Schmillen of El Paso, IL and Christine Ann (Brian Beaver) Snavely-Beaver of Bloomington. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Peter Edward Schmillen, Rebecca Lynn Schmillen, Joel Parker Schmillen, Ross Parker Schmillen, Michael Anthony Carroll, Katharine Irene Carroll, Jacob Eugene Schmillen, Andrew Joseph Schmillen, Kyleigh Christine Snavely and Brandon Scott Beaver and 3 great grandchildren, Mariah, Jocelin and Lastin Schmillen; two brothers, Donald (Gladys) and Gaylord (Marcia), both of Toluca; two sisters, Delores Tapay of Los Gatos, CA and Collette (Fred) Rogers of Edelstein and one sister-in-law, Jo Ann Schmillen of Toluca.Gene was a 1942 graduate of Toluca Community High School. He was a former member of St. Anns Catholic Church in Toluca and a current member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal.He was very passionate about farming, starting as both, a grain and livestock farmer. In 1968, he continued with grain farming and farmed his entire life in rural Toluca (Marshall County), retiring when he sold the farm in 1989. He also worked at Jones Laughlin Steel in Hennepin as a millwright from 1969 1989.Gene was a jack-of-all-trades and very creative. Many of his accomplishments came from his motivation and self-teaching. Gene enjoyed wood working and sharing his creations with family members. As a young man, he loved flying as a recreational pilot and had fond memories of flying with the neighboring farmer. He also enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing with his sweetheart and future bride.Gene was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren; whether it be at home or at family gatherings.He will be dearly missed by all of his children and loved ones.