Eugene Mckeague

Eugene “Gene” Clifford McKeague, 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home in Battle Creek on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 after a brief illness, surrounded and comforted by family members. He was born September 14, 1923 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the only son of the late Clifford and Grace (Miller) McKeague. Gene grew up in the Milwaukee area until his parents moved to Portage, Wisconsin. He was married to Ruthe (Johnson) McKeague on December 26, 1942 and is survived by his five children: Pamela (Jim) June of Grove City, OH, Paige McKeague of Everett, WA, Peggy (Gary) Champlin of Haslet, TX, Marc (Kay) McKeague and Polly (Paul) Kruger of Battle Creek; 11 grandchildren: James, Jeffrey, Catherine, Christopher, Sarah, Luke, Daniel, Jacob, Brian, Jon and Brandon and 19 great-grandchildren. They were married for over 60 years until Ruthe’s death in 2005. One of their greatest pleasures was traveling, both in the United States and abroad. In later years they would spend the winter months in Perdido Key, FL to get away from the cold Michigan winters. Gene was affiliated with Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 333 of Battle Creek for 60 years. He worked on many projects for Kellogg’s in Battle Creek and in 1963 worked for a year on the Kellogg puffed cereal plant in Omaha, NE. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater and was briefly held as a P.O.W. near the end of the war. Gene was a quiet unassuming private person who especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always took pleasure in having them visit. If you wish, a donation may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters or your favorite charity in honor of his love for children.  A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Chapel located at The Fort Custer Training Center (entrance off Denso Road) where the family will greet visitors from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. with full military honors. The family is being served by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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