William Eugene Hartsock

William “Gene” Eugene Hartsock, 90, of rural Geneseo, died July 30, 2017, at Unity Point Hospital, Rock Island, IL.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 3rd, 2017, at Vandemore Funeral Home, Geneseo.  Reverend Ryan Landino from First Presbyterian Church, Geneseo, IL, will officiate.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be left to the William Eugene Hartsock Memorial Fund.

Gene was born April 10, 1927, in Wapello, IA.  He was the oldest of six children born to Harold Frederick Hartsock and Carroll Bessie (Beckey) Hartsock.  He married Mary Lou Steele on December 20, 1952, at Church of Peace in Rock Island.  She preceded him in death on August 9, 2005.

Gene was a man of many interests.  He was a hard worker, having been a Union Carpenter for 55 years.  He worked many side jobs after work and on weekends to support his family.  Gene and Mary Lou spent many years traveling to bluegrass festivals around the Midwest.  They spent 14 years wintering in Brownsville, TX.  Gene enjoyed going to auctions, resulting in his accumulation of tools and musical instruments.  Gene was an avid bow hunter, traveling 45 years to Black River Falls, WI to hunt deer.  Gene loved chopping and selling firewood up until the final days of his death.  During the winter months he enjoyed cracking black walnuts to give away to others.  He loved watching golf and nature shows on television. He looked forward to his monthly poker nights with some great guys. His small farm brought him enormous pride and allowed him to tinker daily.

He is survived by his children, Gene (Diane) Hartsock, Jr. , Geneseo, Sandy (Butch) Jones, Port Byron, IL, Sally (Mike) Howard, Geneseo, Jim (Jeanne) Hartsock, Geneseo, and Jerry (Jan) Hartsock, Geneseo.  He leaves 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  Gene is also survived by his siblings, Merle (Bud) Hartsock, Wilbur Hartsock, Donna Hayes, Bob Jordan, and Carol Balfe; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dewey and Carol Steele.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, his parents, an infant son, his mother-in-law, Florence Steele, and sister-in-law, Wanda Johnson.  

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