Lester "Gene" Eugene Blakeman

Gene was born November 27, 1931, in Stockdale, Ohio to his loving parents, Roy and Ethel Blakeman, who preceded him in death. As a child, Gene loved spending time with his siblings Jack (Norma Jean), Bill (Naomi), Donald (Mary), Ralph (Elsie), Kenneth (Geraldine) and Sharon (Cecil), all of whom preceded Gene in death.

In 1953, Gene met his beloved wife, Darlene. They married June 2, 1956, and lovingly raised three boys, Joe (Shelly), Jeff (Terri) and Jeremy. The boys, Shelly and Terri will cherish their memories of him.

Gene loved his granddaughters and their spouses: Amber (Will) Gonce and Joey (Travis) Robertson. He would light up when greeting Amber and Will’s children, Cullen and Maura. Gene also had many nieces and nephews.

Whether you called him Gene, Lester, Les, Gussie, Gus or Kiddo, you found a loyal friend in him. He was generous and quick to do favors.

He could fix just about anything. His managers always knew they could rely on him to fix things properly. He and Darlene made many renovations to the various houses they owned throughout the years.

And could he tell a story! At family gatherings, everyone anticipated his funny stories about the antics he, his siblings and childhood friends would get up to. He also told many stories about his coworkers from National Seating, North American/Rockwell International (10 years) and General Electric (GE). He retired from GE after 23 years of loyal service in maintenance.

In his retirement years, if he wasn’t walking in the woods, renovating a home or working the yard, you could find him sitting on a porch watching nature or listening to ballgames on his AM radio. He was wise, honest and dedicated.

Gene’s dedication ran deepest with his love and best friend in life, Darlene. Their adventures took them from Southern Ohio to Columbus to Florida and back to Ohio. In the last several months, after he received Jesus Christ, they grew closer than ever. Gene was baptized at Pastor Robert Caw’s Triumphant Church in Newark, Ohio with Gene’s pastor, Pastor Trudy Sebastian, helping with his baptism. He gave his testimony and repented his sins. Gene loved the Emmanuel Praise church, and he loved going with Darlene.

However, you remember him, may those memories bring you peace and a smile as we honor his life.

Friends and family members may call at Crouse-Kauber-Fraley Funeral Home (Address: 225 N Main St, Johnstown, OH 43031 Phone: (740) 967-6085)

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.

There also will be a funeral service at Crouse-Kauber-Fraley on August 12, 2026, which will start promptly at 12 p.m. Afterward, there will be a processional to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through this link, and check the box “Dedicate your gift in honor or memory” (of Gene Blakeman). Your support helps St. Jude provide children cutting-edge treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases not covered by insurance.