Eugene "Gene" G Eilers

Eugene “Gene” G. Eilers, 90, of  Geneseo passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Hammond Henry Hospital Long Term Care. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Friday, May 27, 2022  at Zion Methodist Church in Hooppole. Rev. Rolando Renteria and Rev. Dan Wright will officiate. Burial will take place immediately following the service in Hooppole Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 from 5-7pm at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory Geneseo Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hammond Henry Hospital Foundation or the Geneseo Fire Department.

Gene was born on September 20, 1931 in rural Prophetstown, IL area the son of George and Hazel (Becker) Eilers. He married Phyllis DeSplinter on April 23, 1950 in Rock Island, IL. The loving couple just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Gene was a life long farmer in the Hooppole area, retiring in 2006. Gene graduated from Annawan High school class of 1949. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge AF&AM 293, and the Zion First Methodist Church in Hooppole. Gene enjoyed watching sports especially the Chicago White Sox and the Fighting Illini. He also was a pitcher for the Hooppole Hot Shots softball team. He was an avid mushroom hunter and loved picking wild black raspberries so his family could enjoy some homemade jelly.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 72 years Phyllis of Geneseo, his daughter Sherri (Frank) Mapes of Atkinson, his son Steve(Candy) Eilers of Rotonda West FL. Four grandchildren; Ariane (Paul) Gaudreault, Steven Eilers, Patrick Mapes, Scott (Melissa) Mapes, a great-granddaughter Gianna Mapes, step great-grandson Jayden Brewster, sister Venita Ewing, Sister-in-law Eileen Eilers and several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by; his parents George and Hazel, 2 sisters Alvina DeSplinter, Ruth Eilers, 3 brothers; Alvin, Frank and Kenneth Eilers, Sisters-in-law; Cheryl Eilers, Kate Eilers, Joan Eilers and Marlene DeSplinter,  a brother-in-law; Ron DeSplinter.

Gene’s family would like to express a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Hammond Henry Hospital Emergency Department and 3rd floor as well as to the Hammond Henry Hospital Long Term Care, and the Geneseo Fire and Ambulance for their kind and loving care.

Out of concern for everyone’s safety, the family has asked that everyone please wear a mask.