Gene Megenhardt

Gene Roy Megenhardt, 66, of Ellettsville, IN, passed away at 12 a.m. September 24, 2014 after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Gene was born October 20, 1947 in Brazil, IN, the son of Roy and Lois Megenhardt. He married Virginia N. Mallory on September 8, 1966 in Danville, IL. They were happily married for 36 years until her passing on April 19, 2003. He lived in the Oakwood area for over 60 years, at which time he moved to Ellettsville, IN and then married our wonderful step-mother, Linda (Landers) Steers on April 12, 2008 (formerly of the Shelbyville, IL area). They were married for six years. He is survived by his loving wife Linda, daughter Tammy (Megenhardt) Bales of Shepherdsville, KY, son Shawn (Kristin) Megenhardt of Champaign, IL, daughter Kari (Lincoln) Lynch of Shelbyville, IL; son Jason Steers of Shelbyville, IL and daughter Robyn (John) Carswell of Shelbyville, IL; seven grandchildren, Ross and Reed Reinier, Brayden and Brooklyn Lynch, and Savannah, Elizabeth, and Mary Katherine Carswell; and five nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia, mother Lois (Wright) Megenhardt, father Roy (Stickles) Megenhardt, brother Richard Megenhardt, and sister Beverly (Megenhardt) Watkins. Gene had been a lifelong member of the Oakwood Christian Church and a member of the Order of the Masonic Mason Free Will Lodge No. 872, where he was a 32nd Order. He worked at the Danville branch of Pepsi Cola for over 42 years beginning as a delivery driver to becoming a Regional Manager of both the Danville, IL and Bloomington, IN branches. He was known and respected for coaching Oakwood Little League Football and Baseball for over 10 years, serving also on the Oakwood High School Board of Education and the Oakwood Town Board. He was also one of the founding members of the Chapter organization of the 76er Jaycees. Anyone that knew Gene, knew his love for traveling to the southern states of KY and TN to enjoy the beauty of nature and fishing. He was a great leader for anyone who had been lucky enough to work with him, either at his former job at Pepsi or on any of the many committees over the years. But above all, he was a great father who never needed to speak of how to be an outstanding devoted individual, worker, father, friend, and husband- because he showed us daily by his actions just exactly what that was. He was a true pillar of strength and encouragement to everyone, but especially his family and loving wife. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him, but will never be forgotten. WE LOVE YOU and always will! “Death ends a life not a relationship.” - Mitch Album A celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. (CST) at Sunset's Oakwood Chapel, 105 E. South Main St.. Pastor Patti Wise will be officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (CST). A Masonic Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. prior to the visitation. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery following the celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Please join Genes family in sharing photos, videos, and memories of him on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.