Gene was born on Nov. 6, 1934, in Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana, the son of Wayne and Grace (Everling) German.
He graduated from Orland High School in 1953.
Gene married Betty Jean Merriman, on July 31, 1953, at the Orland Congregational Church. She preceded him in death on August 15, 2018.
He loved his family and all of his grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Gene worked for H.C. Merriman and Son Construction, C. A. Lehman and Son Construction and others, before starting his own company Gene German General Construction. He was a 70-year member of the Orland Fire and Rescue and a long-standing member of Star Lodge #225 in Orland.
Survivors include three children; Greg German and wife Tietje, of Edmund, Oklahoma, Mike German, of Orland, and Polly German, of Orland; grandchildren Sean German, Weston German, Tracey Whitley, and Grant German; great-grandchildren Lauren German, Alexis German, Damon German, Cybil German, Cyrus German, Ariana Jarocki, Teagan Whitley and Emersyn German; great-great grandchild, Theodore German.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Grace German and two brothers, Wayne German JR, of Bronson Michigan and Richard German, of Orland, and a grand-daughter Laraine Jarocki of Fairview, Texas.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday Aug. 29, 2026 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana.
Masonic Services will follow visitation Saturday at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at Beams Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Erwin officiating.
Burial will follow the services at Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Indiana.
Memorial donations in his memory are requested to Orland Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 446, Orland, IN 46776 or to the Star Lodge #225, Orland, Indiana C/O Jim Milleman 6455 N. Maple Crest Drive, Orland, IN 46776.
