M. Eugene "Gene" Hall

M. Eugene "Gene" Hall, aged 98 years of Clay City, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.

He was born on March 19, 1926 to Elmer and Beulah (Keneipp) Hall of Clay City, where he lived almost his entire life.

After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, the very next day, at age 18, and he served overseas aboard the USS Tuscaloosa and in the Russell Islands during World War II. Following the war, he returned to Clay City and married the love of his life, Mary Ruth Evans, and together they enjoyed 53 years of life together, until she died 2001. Gene was employed for many years by Easley-Padgett Funeral Home in Clay City as an ambulance driver and funeral assistant. He later enjoyed a career as the Village Clerk of Clay City until he retired at 65. He then started a second career which he whole-heartedly embraced, working for Randy and Carol Kistler and Steve and Kate Patterson of Kistler-Patterson Funeral Homes. A lifelong member of the Clay City Methodist Church, Gene served in many capacities including Sunday School Superintendent and the Building and Finance Committees. He was a member of the Flora Elks Lodge, Clay City American Legion, and the Lion's Club. Gene considered his relationship with his Lord and Savior and other people to be his greatest possession. He succeeded in being a loving and thoughtful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. Besides family, he is survived by countless people whose lives he touched during his long span of years.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Janice Crackel and her husband Bill of Olney; grandson, Seth (Jamie) Crackel of Geneva, IL; great granddaughters Iris and Nola Crackel of Geneva, several nieces and nephews, and many other family members and close friends that he cherished.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ruth; brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Charlene Hall; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Kenneth Hostettler.

A heartfelt thank you from the family to all the wonderful Doctors, Nurses, and staff and volunteers of the long-term care unit at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Clay City United Methodist, with a visitation beginning one-hour prior to service time.

Interment will follow at Clay City Cemetery. Full Military Rites will be performed at the graveside.

Memorials can be made to Clay City United Methodist Church, Claws and Paws, or donor's choice.