Obit: Bryan, Eugene "Gene" (1942 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org    

Surnames: Bryan, Smitke, Urlaub, Ollech, Trunkel, Buddenhagen, Pagenkopf

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 02/22/2012

Bryan, Eugene "Gene" (4 SEP 1942 - 20 FEB 2012)

Eugene "Gene" Bryan, 69, of Neillsville, died on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in the Emergency Room of the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville.

Eugene E. Bryan was born on Sept. 4, 1942, in Neillsville, the son of John Black and Cecelia Amelia (Smitke) Bryan. He attended school in Neillsville and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1960. The day Gene turned 18 years old he went to work for Overguard, which is now known as Mathy Construction. He worked road construction for 42 years before semi-retiring in 2002. He then worked part-time for Mid-State Trucking and TEAM trucking in Marshfield. Most recently he was working for Tractor Central in Granton. Gene was united in marriage to Beverly Urlaub on April 28, 1962, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville.

He loved spending time and having family gatherings at their land along the Black River. He enjoyed hunting with his grandsons, son-in-laws and nephews. Gene was a hard-working, generous person who cared deeply for his family and made it a point to never miss his grandchildren's athletic events.

He was a member of the Operator's Engineer Union Local 139, the Neillsville-Granton Trailbuster's Snowmobile Club and the Wildlife Turkey Federation-Black River Falls Chapter.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; two children, Linda (Jim) Ollech of Neillsville and Barbara (Ron) Trunkel of Neillsville; seven grandchildren, Kaylin Ollech, Aaron Ollech, Jacob Ollech, Cain Trunkel, McKenzie Trunkel, Braden Trunkel and Amelia Trunkel. Gene is also survived by three siblings, Arlyn (Donna) Bryan of Neillsville, Sharon (Byrl) Buddenhagen of Neillsville and LaVonne (Raymond) Pagenkopf of Neillsville. Gene is also survived by a sister-in-law, Peggy Bryan of Chicago, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Donald Bryan; a sister, Karen Lee Whittle; and two brothers, Bruce and Jerome Bryan.

A celebration of Gene's life will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at the Neillsville Country Club. 

A private interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Gene's family with funeral arrangements.