Gene Louis Shimkus, age 92 of Collinsville, IL, was crowned with eternal life on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

Gene was born July 31, 1928 in East St. Louis, IL, the son of John and Dorothea (nee Heinecke) Shimkus.  At a very young age his mother died and he went to live with his maternal grandparents, Frederick and Helena (nee Delamano) Heinecke.  He was baptized at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville and attended Holy Cross Lutheran School and Collinsville High School.  While in high school, he worked part-time for the telephone company.  It was there that he met his future bride, Kathleen Mondy, who was employed there as an operator.  They married on July 22, 1950.

Gene was a proud Korean War veteran. Because of his local telephone experience he was placed in the Signal Corps to lay and repair telephone lines.  Upon returning home, he and Kathy settled in Collinsville where, with the exception of a couple of years living in Breeze, IL, they lived with their family.  As the years went by that family grew with the addition of seven children and their spouses, Bill and wife Bette of Portland, OR; Dorothy Joyce; Joan Green and husband Bernie; John and wife Karen; Helen Ross and husband Pat of Maryville, TN; Jean Holten of Mascoutah and Jana Heuer and husband Chris of Troy, IL; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

In 1962 Gene earned an Associate degree in Business from SIU-Edwardsville, as part of its first graduating class.  During his professional career with the telephone company, he worked as an installer and linesman, was promoted to foreman, then an engineer.  He had been a member of the Communications Workers of America.  After over 40 years of service, he retired.  As a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, he served in a variety of roles, from elder to offering counter.  In retirement he also served as a staff member of Lutheran Child and Family Services in Belleville.  He was a member of the VFW Post #5691 and American Legion Post #365

Gene loved baseball and in his later years enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play the game.  He was also an avid fisherman and passed that enthusiasm to several of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kathy; his sister, Jana Rae Maddox; and one grandchild, Jonas Heuer.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 304 South Street, Collinsville, IL 62234, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday when the funeral service will begin.  Masks must be worn.

Funeral service for Gene and his wife Kathleen who passed away on April 6, 2020, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the church with Rev. Kyle Wright officiating.  Burial with military honors will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Metro East Lutheran High School or Got You Six Support Dogs of MARYVILLE and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com