Gene Raymond Postl

Born on September 16, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, Gene was the beloved son of Henry and Helen Postl. He was raised in Detroit and graduated from Osborn High School before beginning a successful career with Ford Motor Company, where he dedicated 37 years of service before retiring at the age of 55.

On September 23, 1967, Gene married the love of his life, Barbara Jean. Together they shared nearly six decades of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and love.

Gene was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a loving grandfather. He was a provider in every sense of the word, ensuring that his children had the tools, knowledge, and guidance they needed to succeed in life. He believed in honesty, personal responsibility, and strong blue-collar values. While he was never one to sugarcoat the truth, his family knew that his advice always came from a place of love and wisdom. Through both his words and actions, he taught those around him how to live with integrity and what it meant to be a good person.

Known for his remarkable intelligence, Gene possessed an exceptional aptitude for mathematics and problem-solving. He was also gifted with his hands and could seemingly fix anything that broke. Whether repairing a vehicle, tackling a home project, or helping someone in need, Gene approached every challenge with confidence, skill, and determination.

Beyond his practical talents, Gene was deeply creative and artistic. An accomplished painter, he enjoyed working in a variety of mediums, often combining paint with sketches to create unique mixed-media works. He painted portraits of family members, religious subjects including Father Solanus, and a variety of abstract pieces. One of his most memorable works, a portrait of Clark Gable, was so realistic that it appeared almost photographic. His artwork reflected both his technical precision and his vivid imagination.

Music was another lifelong passion. Gene’s eclectic taste spanned genres and generations, from The Beatles—especially John Lennon—to Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, jazz, blues, and classical music. He found joy in listening, reflecting, and sharing his favorite artists with those he loved.

In his leisure time, Gene enjoyed playing cards, visiting casinos, and taking cruises to tropical islands. He was also a man of deep faith and was a longtime member of St. Valerie Catholic Church, which later merged with St. Louis Catholic Parish in Clinton Township.

More than anything, Gene will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, intelligence, creativity, and unwavering devotion to his family. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, faith, and love that will continue to guide those fortunate enough to have known him.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Jean Postl; his children, Lisa Postl and Kirk (Wendy) Postl; his cherished grandchildren, Lillith Hylla-Postl, Anya Hylla-Postl, and Kaia Hylla-Postl; and his brother, John (Sue) Postl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen Postl, and by his brothers, Dennis (Dolores) Postl, Henry Postl, and Gary Postl.

Gene was also blessed with many treasured friendships throughout his life, including the late Tom (Louise) Carson, Tom and Diane Bonino, and Vito (the late Lori) Messina.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038. A memorial service will commence at 6:00 PM.