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Obituary of Leo Eugene “Gene” Christian

Princeville – Leo Eugene “Gene” Christian, 88, of rural Princeville, died at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Gene was born May 30, 1921, in rural Princeville, the son of Joseph Leo & Mary Imogene Cushing Christian.  He married Eileen B. Hoshor on November 13, 1946.  Eileen survives, along with their ten children: Bill (Cory) Christian of Baraboo, WI, Rick (Brenda) Christian, Jack Christian, & Sharon (Ed) Hammer, all of Princeville, Lin (Bill) Polk & Carol (Jerry) Dismang of Chillicothe, Jan (Ed) Kosko of Peoria, Jim (Jennifer) Christian of Dunlap, Nancy (Chris) Almasi of Elmwood, and Kate (Dan) Banta of Round Rock, TX; 22 grandchildren:  Lisa, Kathleen, Mark, Kelly, Erik, Sean, Joe, Bryan, David, Michael, Matthew, Laura, Niky, Courtney, Bailey, Sam, Nick, Kaitlin, Jacob, Kristin, Ben, & Lizzie; 10 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Robert (Gloria) Christian of Peoria.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a 1939 graduate of Spaulding Institute, Peoria.  He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, serving in the 80th Infantry Division from July, 1944, to March 1946.  He landed in France on December 18, 1944, crossed through Luxembourg, and advanced into Germany in February 1945.  He was wounded on February 18, 1945, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Gene was a Dry Gauger at Hiram Walker & Sons, Peoria, for 40 years, retiring in 1981.  He was a life-long hunter enjoying elk and deer hunting trips to Colorado.  As an avid Cub fan, he enjoyed listening to the games and celebrated his 80th birthday at Wrigley Field with his family.  He loved playing cards with his friends, dancing with his wife, and spending time with family.  He was generous and giving of his time to many veterans’ organizations, friends in need, and his church.

He was a member of Princeville American Legion Post 248, he also served as the State Post Commander in 1969.  He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 175, Peoria, and he was selected to serve as State Commander and State Chaplain.  He was also a member of Radnor Grange 1158, serving as Master, Pomona Grange, Dunlap Sportsmen’s Club, St. Clement Catholic Church Parish Council and Men’s Club, and was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Dunlap Centennial Parade.  He was a current member of St. Jude Catholic Church, Peoria.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2010, at St. Jude Catholic Church.  Rev. Father Anthony Lee will officiate.  There will be a Prayer Service Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the church, with visitation following until 5:00 p.m.  There will also be a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday.  Burial will be in St. Clement’s Cemetery, rural Dunlap.

Memorial contributions may be made to his church or to Akron-Princeville Ambulance Service.

Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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