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Eugene "Gene" Semple

[February 07, 2022]   MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla -Eugene “Gene”Semple, 89, of Melbourne Beach, Florida,formerly from Lincoln, Illinois, died at 9:35 pm on January 25, surrounded by family.

Service: Graveside services will be at Hartsburg Union Cemetery at a later date.

Obituary

Eugene “Gene”Semple, 89, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, formerly from Lincoln, Illinois, died at 9:35 pm on January 25, surrounded by family.

Gene was born November 5, 1932, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Semple. He married Janet Schleder on May 12, 1957. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, his two children, Lorilei Palmer (James) of White Heath, Illinois and Anthony Semple (Dawn) of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He leaves three grandsons, Dylan Palmer (fiancé Taylor Helenthal), Jake and Cole Semple. He is survived by one sister, Joyce (Russell) Romine, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Gene served in the United States Air Force (1952-1956). He was formerly employed at Stetson China Company for eleven years and as a safety engineer for Bridgestone Firestone, retiring after 30 years. He returned as consultant for one and a half years. He was past president of the McLean County Health and Safety Council and member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. He was a member of the American Legion and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Indialantic, Florida.

He enjoyed traveling, having visited all fifty states with his wife. Gene adored his family, enjoying activities with his grandsons. He was a sports enthusiast, and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees.

Cremation rites were accorded by Neptune Society. Graveside services will be at Hartsburg Illinois Union Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, American Diabetes Association or the charity of donors’ choice.