He was born in Nobob, KY on January 29, 1936 to Ewell and Gladys (Davis) Crabtree. Gene married Mary Wilkerson on February 11, 1996.
He is survived by his children: Wilma Gleason, Greg (Melodye) Crabtree, Martha (Karen Bruning) Fritcher, Beth Crabtree, Jeff (Patty) Wilkerson, and Mary (Dwayne Smith) Shadowens; 21 grandchildren: Ciara Corley, Arielle Evans, Quinten Bradley, Lauren Remley, Alicia Crabtree, Missy Baker, Cassie Crabtree, Hayden Vest, Hailey and Brady Fritcher, Marisa and Jerritt Crabtree, Trenton Beasley, Ashley Wilkerson, Whitney Leifheit, Darby Wilkerson, Bethany Wilkerson, Kaylah Deatrick, Jessica Shadowens, Amanda Basham and Alexander Smith; 26 great-grandchildren; and his sister Anita (Charlie) Crowe.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Charlie Crabtree; and grandson, Lucas Fritcher.
Gene served in the United States Air Force before his employment at General Electric and Illinois State University before retiring from Mitsubishi Motors. In retirement, Gene and Mary managed Alexander/Grandview Estates.
He loved listening to bluegrass music and watching his favorite sports teams including the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears. Gene loved spending time and talking with family and friends and taught us to cherish relationships.
A visitation will be held from 9-10:30AM with a service at 11AM at East Lawn Funeral Home on Saturday, November 23.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene’s honor to the COPD Foundation (www.copdfoundation.org) or OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois (www.osfhealthcare.org/childrens).
Condolences may be offered to the family at eastlawnmemorial.com.
