AKRON — Gene A. Black, 87, rural Akron, passed at 5:30 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2018, at his residence.
He was born Jan. 6, 1931, in Miami County, to Henry Gene and Ethel Fern Sands Black. On Nov. 3, 1951, in Akron, he was married to Margaret V. "Maggie" Hodges. She preceded on Feb. 1, 2016.
Gene had been a farmer and retired in 1993 from R.R. Donnelley & Sons, where he had been a machinist.
He graduated from Akron High School in 1949. He served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War, stationed in California. He attended Akron Church of God. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Rochester. He attended luncheons with the Nifty-Fifty to catch up with his Donnelley friends.
He served in New Tribes Missions with his wife, Maggie, in Florida to help construct a retirement community for missionaries. He was known to be able to fix anything and handy with construction, helping his family. After retirement, Gene enjoyed woodworking and Massey Ferguson tractors.
Survivors include two daughters, Amy Black. Akron, and Arissa (and husband Dan "Jake") Grossman, Akron; two sons, Allen (and wife Janet) Black, Akron, and Henry "Hank" (and wife Susan) Black, Warsaw; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two brothers-in-law, Cornileus DeLane Hodges, North Carolina, and Arthur Sohlke, Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maggie Black; a son, Amber A. Black; a daughter, Althea Black; and a granddaughter, Catherine Grossman.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 24, at Akron Church of God, 301 S. West St. Akron, where military rites will be performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard. Pastor Kathy Nelson will officiate.
Burial will take place at a later date in Nichols Cemetery, Akron.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.
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Memorials to Akron Church of God or Kosciusko County Home Care and Hospice.
Share a memory or send a condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
