EUGENE A. BETZ

Mr. Eugene A. Betz, 64, of Fowler, Illinois, died at 6:55 a.m. Sunday (December 6, 2009) in Blessing Hospital.

Born May 28, 1945 in Quincy, Illinois, Gene was the son of Eugene V. and Jacobi Anna Plawer Schnelle Betz. He married Ruth Linnenburger on August 14, 1965 in Quincy. She survives.

Gene was a member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ where he served on the Property Board and Church Council. An avid gardener and woodworker, Gene made many pieces of furniture. He enjoyed hunting and trap shooting with his sons, but his greatest joy came in the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Mr. Betz served his country in the U.S. Air Force with the 443rd Avionics Maintenance Squadron (MAC) in Oklahoma from 1966 to 1970.

Gene attended Lynn Grove grade school and was a 1963 graduate of Quincy High School. He earned a certificate in Broadcast Electronics Technology from JohnWood Community College.

Gene was employed at Electric Wheel for 20 years and later as an Electronic Repair Technician at Glenayre Electronics for 17 years and I.S.C. Technologies Inc. until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife Ruth; two sons, Christopher E. Betz and his wife Cynthia Sue of East Peoria, IL and Mark A. Betz and his wife Sara of Quincy; five grandchildren, Robert Betz, Evan Betz and Hayden Betz all of East Peoria, IL and Wilson Betz and Sasha Betz both of Quincy; a brother, Michael Betz and his wife Cindy of Fowler, IL; a step sister, Delores Barnes and her husband Bill of Centralia, MO; his mother in law, Elizabeth Linnenburger of Quincy; three sisters in law, Pat Betz of Palmyra, MO, Carol Vogel of Quincy and Janet Syrcle and her husband Ron of Dallas, TX; a brother in law, David Linnenburger and his wife Sandy of Canton, MO; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mr. Betz was preceded in death by his parents; his step father, Harold August Schnelle; a brother, John H. Betz; his father in law, Raymond Linnenburger; a brother in law, Carl Vogel; maternal grandparents, Henry and Annetta Plawer; and his paternal grandparents, John and Barbara Betz.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Wanda Seydel. Burial with Military Honors by Payson V.F.W. Post 2061 will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 and Wednes day until the time of services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Salem Church or the Blessing Cancer Center.