Gene Lewis

Gene Charles Lewis was born February 8 ^th , 1933 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the first of four children born to Henry and Lilian (Sines) Lewis. He attended grade school at Newman School in Emmett Township, Southwestern Junior High School, and Lakeview High School, in Battle Creek.

Upon graduation in 1951 from Lakeview High School, Gene attended Augubright Business College in Battle Creek, earning a Business Administration Degree in two years. While there, he met and dated his wife to be, Susan Quick, of Marshall, Michigan.

Upon graduation from Augubright in 1953, Gene was drafted into the army, serving in Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he put his business school skills to work as a court stenographer. He married Susan in March of 1954, and then he was deployed to Korea as part of the American peacekeeping force. While stationed in Seoul at the headquarters of the US 8 ^th Army, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to the states in June of 1954.

In 1955 Gene began employment with Federal Home Insurance Company in Battle Creek, MI, beginning as a clerk in the mailroom, and rising through the ranks to achieve the position of Senior Vice President of the Group Insurance division. The company was purchased in 1984, and relocated in the year 1986 taking Gene & Susan to Orlando, Florida were they enjoyed warm winters, visiting Disney World, and watching spring baseball training.

During Gene’s time in Battle Creek, he and Susan raised a family of five children, including Bradley, Carolyn, Curtis, Cindy, and Jeffery. He was active as a Junior Achievement Advisor, Scoutmaster, baseball coach in the Harper Creek Optimist League, and a museum director at the Kimball House Museum in Battle Creek.

After retiring in 1991, Gene and Susan returned to Battle Creek, and purchased his childhood home, where he and Susan cared for Henry, his father. He continued to be active for many years in the Honor Guard at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, and the American Legion post 54 in Battle Creek. His hobbies included playing the piano, health and fitness, long walks, magic, and genealogy.

Gene is survived by his son Bradley Lewis of Battle Creek, MI, daughter Carolyn (Lewis) Rossi of Chattanooga, TN, son Curtis Lewis of Spring, TX, daughter Cynthia (Lewis) Hill of Prosperity, SC, and Jeffrey Lewis, of Augusta, MI; 12 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Battle Creek, and inurnment will be alongside his wife Susan, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek MI, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice.  www.henryfuneralhome.org