A life long resident of the Ava area Loren Eugene “Gene” Witchey, the son of Glenn Witchey and Gladys M. Evilsisor Witchey, was born June 12, 1938, in Galena, and departed this life Feb. 14, 2007, at the age of 68.
Gene was a life long resident of the Ava area. He graduated from Ava High School with the class of 1957. He was self-employed as a logger for over 37 years. Gene was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was also a member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association and the Douglas County Horse Breeders Association. Gene loved raising fox trotter horses and loved his work and being with his family.
On July 18, 1964, Gene and Doris A. “Little Bit” Lohman were united in marriage in Green Rock, Ill. They were blessed with two daughters.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Earl and Robert “Bob” Witchey.
He is survived by his wife, Doris, of the home at Ava; two daughters and their spouses, Vicki and Gary Shumate, Ava, and Kim and Larry Fincher, Everton; one brother, Cecil E. Witchey, Ava; three sisters, Arlyce Lankford, Brookline Station, Leona Arlene Springs, Warsaw, and Betty Kinyon, Ava; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Eddie Cabrera officiating. Interment followed in the Whites Creek Cemetery. Military honors were provided by American Legion Post 112 and VFW Post 5993.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the donors choice. Online condolences may be made at www. clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
