ANDERSON [mdash] It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Donald Eugene Ginley, known to all as Gene, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the age of 91.
Born on Dec. 10, 1932, in Anderson, Indiana, Gene lived a full life helping to raise his children and enjoying his many personal interests.
Gene lived his entire life in Anderson. Because of his fierce competitive nature, his childhood was spent playing a variety of sports and participating in scouts. During his years as a student at Anderson High School, he was an accomplished runner and member of the track team, graduating in 1951.
After graduation, Gene proudly served our country from 1952 to 1954 with the 151st Infantry Unit and the 8th Army Combat Engineers during the Korean War. The skills he learned in scouting served him well during this time where he was placed in a variety of leadership roles. Honorably discharged with the rank of Sargent, Gene was recognized for his service having received numerous citations and medals including the Bronze Star.
Gene returned to Anderson after the war where he met and married Anne Renee Leedom in 1958. Together they raised six children and enjoyed the 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren that followed.
Gene was a hard worker and good provider. He spent 38 years as an Agent for State Farm Insurance, retiring in 2000. He enjoyed his work and the many, many clients he helped through the years.
Gene helped create a lot of great memories for his children and grandchildren. Among them were the summers spent at our grandparents’ lake cottage where he taught his children how to water ski. It was also very important to him that our family enjoy vacations together. We were very blessed to have spent many years traveling to Orlando, Gulf Shores, and Gatlinburg.
Gene remained a lifelong supporter of Anderson High School sports and basketball season ticket holder. He and our mother would attend every home game with us kids in tow. He shared his passion for sports with his children by his active leadership and participation in area youth sports leagues as both coach and referee. He was especially proud of his six children, all of whom played high schools sports. He traveled throughout the state to faithfully attend their many events.
In later years, Gene enjoyed among many things: day trips in search of good food and conversation with our mother and their close friends, weekly rounds of golf and yearly golf trips with his men’s group, playing card games such as euchre and bridge with family and friends, IU basketball and westerns.
Gene’s legacy lives on through his loved ones, Renee Ginley, daughters, Lisa Spaulding (Rob), Lonnie Carpenter (Lance), Leslie Wilson (Bob), Libby Scharnowske (Marc); sons, Ty Ginley and Pat Ginley (Janet); 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Jacquie Brauchla; and countless nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ottie (Riley) Ginley; daughter-in-law, Julie Ginley; and brother-in-law, Gordon Brauchla.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Community Hospital Anderson, Keystone Woods Assisted Living Facility, Northview Health and Living, Community Parkview Care Center of Elwood, and Paradigm Hospice for all their love and care of Gene.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory. US Military Rites to follow and will be performed at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s name may be gifted to the Humane Society.
www.LooseCares.com.
Born on Dec. 10, 1932, in Anderson, Indiana, Gene lived a full life helping to raise his children and enjoying his many personal interests.
Gene lived his entire life in Anderson. Because of his fierce competitive nature, his childhood was spent playing a variety of sports and participating in scouts. During his years as a student at Anderson High School, he was an accomplished runner and member of the track team, graduating in 1951.
After graduation, Gene proudly served our country from 1952 to 1954 with the 151st Infantry Unit and the 8th Army Combat Engineers during the Korean War. The skills he learned in scouting served him well during this time where he was placed in a variety of leadership roles. Honorably discharged with the rank of Sargent, Gene was recognized for his service having received numerous citations and medals including the Bronze Star.
Gene returned to Anderson after the war where he met and married Anne Renee Leedom in 1958. Together they raised six children and enjoyed the 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren that followed.
Gene was a hard worker and good provider. He spent 38 years as an Agent for State Farm Insurance, retiring in 2000. He enjoyed his work and the many, many clients he helped through the years.
Gene helped create a lot of great memories for his children and grandchildren. Among them were the summers spent at our grandparents’ lake cottage where he taught his children how to water ski. It was also very important to him that our family enjoy vacations together. We were very blessed to have spent many years traveling to Orlando, Gulf Shores, and Gatlinburg.
Gene remained a lifelong supporter of Anderson High School sports and basketball season ticket holder. He and our mother would attend every home game with us kids in tow. He shared his passion for sports with his children by his active leadership and participation in area youth sports leagues as both coach and referee. He was especially proud of his six children, all of whom played high schools sports. He traveled throughout the state to faithfully attend their many events.
In later years, Gene enjoyed among many things: day trips in search of good food and conversation with our mother and their close friends, weekly rounds of golf and yearly golf trips with his men’s group, playing card games such as euchre and bridge with family and friends, IU basketball and westerns.
Gene’s legacy lives on through his loved ones, Renee Ginley, daughters, Lisa Spaulding (Rob), Lonnie Carpenter (Lance), Leslie Wilson (Bob), Libby Scharnowske (Marc); sons, Ty Ginley and Pat Ginley (Janet); 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Jacquie Brauchla; and countless nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ottie (Riley) Ginley; daughter-in-law, Julie Ginley; and brother-in-law, Gordon Brauchla.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Community Hospital Anderson, Keystone Woods Assisted Living Facility, Northview Health and Living, Community Parkview Care Center of Elwood, and Paradigm Hospice for all their love and care of Gene.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory. US Military Rites to follow and will be performed at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s name may be gifted to the Humane Society.
www.LooseCares.com.
