Eugene Hurst "Gene" Ozier, age 82, of Charleston, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at his Charleston home.

Graveside services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 27 at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston with Pastor Scott Sims officiating, and the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston conducting military rites.

Gene was born July 26, 1918 in Greenup, Illinois the son of Reverend Clarence and Flossie (Hurst) Ozier. He married Donna Hartley on July 16, 1960 in Charleston with his father performing their ceremony. He is survived by his wife Donna of Charleston; one son, Larry Ozier and his wife Allie of Granada Hills, California; one daughter, Gena Mirick and her husband Marvin of Charleston; five grandchildren. Rachel Bowling and her husband Justin of Bloomington, Illinois; Jackie Chism and Jordan Mirick, both of Charleston, Chris Ozier of Granada Hills and Denise Gianis of Naperville, Illinois, and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded by his parents, and one brother, Leo Ozier. Gene retired, after thirty-seven years with Norfolk & Western Railroad, as a Telegraph Operator. He then accepted a position, which he held for twenty-eight years, with Rupel Grain Company in Charleston. He was a United States Army Veteran having served in World War II.

Gene enjoyed a special life and much of his life's pleasures were given to him in abundance by Donna, his children and grandchildren. He loved the out-of-doors and those close to him knew he truly enjoyed the twenty-one years of country living south of Charleston. He was a member of the Charleston Country Club, Charleston Masonic Lodge 35 and held life memberships in Charleston Moose Lodge 1388 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston, IL.

Gene's family requests that memorials in his honor be made to Lincolnland Hospice. Memorials may be made at the service or visitation, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charrleston, IL 61920.

Published in the Mattoon Journal Gazette on Thursday, April 26, 2001
(Submitted by George A. Smith)