Raymond Eugene "Gene" Willoughby

Raymond Eugene “Gene” Willoughby, 80, of the Bowerston area, passed away Saturday April 19, 2014 following complications of a brief illness. Born November 15, 1933 at Dennison, he was a son of the late Harry Michael and Myrtle (Insley) Willoughby.

A life resident of the area, Gene was a 1951 graduate of Uhrichsville High School before joining the U.S. Army and serving his country in the Army Signal Corp. Gene worked at Reliable Auto Parts in Dover for 24 years and then continued his career with Valley Mining Co. in Dennison for 24 years until his retirement. Gene had a passion for knowledge and never stopped seeking it. Whether it was furthering his education with classes at Kent State University and Buckeye Career Center or embracing computers and technology, he always continued to learn and become more informed. Gene served as a Conotton Valley School Board member for 13 years. He was an avid Cleveland Indians and Browns fan and enjoyed the time he spent maintaining the family farm on his Ventrac tractor. Gene was a member of the Plum Run U.M.C. until its closing, and had most recently attended Bethel U.M.C. near Jewett.

On April 25, 1959, Gene married the former Shelby Jean Addleman, and the couple was soon looking forward to celebrating 55 years of marriage together. She survives them at their home. Gene is also survived by 2 children, Kevin (Kim) Willoughby of Bowerston and Keith (Amy) Willoughby of Dennison; 4 grandchildren, Courtney, Dustin, Kaylee, and Mackenzie Willoughby; a sister, Patricia (Andy) Ludwig of Uhrichsville; a brother, Jerry (Linda Patacca) Willoughby of Dover; 2 sisters-in-law, Ede Willoughby of Sunbury, OH and Waneta Willoughby of Indiana; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear close friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, William and Anna Addleman; 3 brothers, Doyle (Anna) Willoughby, Dick Willoughby, and Bill Willoughby.

Services for Gene, officiated by Rev. Rodney Bowers and Rev. Mark Unrue, will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 23 in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Internment will follow at Tunnel Hill Cemetery near Bowerston. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22. In recognition of his love of learning, those wishing to honor Gene’s memory with a memorial donation are encouraged to do so to the Raymond Gene Willoughby Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Conotton Valley Rocket Foundation, P.O. Box 1021, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740)922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com