Eugene H Lutz

Born May 14, 1938 in South Pekin to Howard and Mildred (McCord) Lutz, he married Sandra Rohrs on January 19, 1957 in Hernando, MS. She survives.

Also surviving are five sons, Eric (Cindy) Lutz of Decatur, Karl (Debbie) Lutz of Pekin, Matthew Lutz of Bastrop, TX, Peter (Stephanie) Lutz of Corpus Christi, TX and Charles “Chip” (Gwen) Lutz of Kenosha, WI; two daughters, April (Jim) Todd of Pekin and Camilia Coy of Bangor, ME; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, John “Jack” (Phyllis) Lutz of Normal and Robert “Bob” (Rose Mary) Lutz of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons, Jason Lutz and David Beimfohr.

Gene worked 43 years for Keystone Steel & Wire Company in Bartonville as a millwright in the steel mill, retiring in 1999. He also owned and operated Lutz Excavating in Pekin with his brother Bob. He had also held part time positions at Herget National Bank and 14th Street Hardware, both in Pekin.

He was a member of St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley, where he had served as a Junior Elder and had been involved in the church dartball league.

Gene had been involved in the Pekin Police Auxiliary, Toastmasters International, Pekin Players and the Civil War Club at the Miller Center. He was also a volunteer driver for the Miller Center.

A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, Gene had a tremendous amount of pride for his children and grandchildren. He was a true and loyal friend to a countless amount of people. He was known to have a “wicked” sense of humor, enjoyed trivia, vacation and traveling with his family, camping and riding his motorcycle.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016 at St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. Pastor Chris Sansom, Pastor Kevin Bueltmann and William Krueger, DCE, will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and also from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Sand Prairie Cemetery in Rural Green Valley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to his church, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, IL 61534 or to Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 3201Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com