Harold Eugene Febus, went to be with the Lord, October 8, 2021. He was born in Saskatchewan, Canada on April 12, 1925 to the late Ivy and Pearl Febus. He obtained a bachelors degree in business from the Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois. He had a successful career in adhesive sales for Swift and Company, which later became Reichhold Inc.

Gene traveled the world with his wife, Jan, and was a longtime member of United Church of Christ, Congregational in Medina, Ohio. Gene and Jan were great supporters of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They attended every possible sporting event and extracurricular activity throughout the years . Gene had a special interest in watching his grandchildren run track, as he had been an Illinois state champion in track himself. He always enjoyed being an official timer. Gene and Jan received the first annual award for being Medina High School's #1 Fan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, who just passed away February 4,2021 and his parents, Ivy and Pearl Febus, as well as his three siblings, Lee Febus, Meredith Pritchett, and Dean Febus.

He is survived by his children; Sally (Michael) Lee, Scott (Linda) Febus, Kirk (Ann) Febus, Chris (Mary) Febus; 14 grandchildren, Matt Febus, Carrie Febus, Jennifer (John) Lurtz, Joshua (Meissa) Lee, Jedidiah (Melanie) Lee, Jordan (Megan) Lee, Lucy (Scott) Jacobs, Mark( Isaiah) Febus, Dan (Courtney) Febus, Colin Febus, Clayton Febus, Cwinn Febus, Cole Febus and Harrison Fayette; 23 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as a lifetime of special friends.

Gene was raised in a tiny farm town, next to the railroad tracks, in Illiopolis, Illinois. Everyone knew "Genie." His mom, Ivy, was crippled with polio, but that did not stop her from raising four children, with Gene being the youngest. His mom used to feed the hobos that jumped off-the train,  pie and coffee. Gene would sit outside with his German Shepherd and watch them. It could be said that this was so ingrained in his heart that he became such an encourager and champion of the underdog.  Along with so many others, Gene left high school and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. He graduated with a flag on his chair.  He served on the aircraft carrier, the  USS Hancock, as parachute rigger First Class. He was with Dive Bombing Squadron 6 at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the battle of the Japanese islands. The USS Hancock was the victim of one of the Japanese kamikaze planes. God clearly had a special purpose for Gene, but he struggled all his life to understand why he was saved and so many of his friends died. Gene returned home from the war and met his sweetheart, Jan, at Milliken University. They married August 8, 1948 and lived and loved for 72 years.

Nothing was more important to Gene than his family. He had a very special connection with each of his family members and especially loved to entertain the little children.  His legacy continues on…

2 Timothy 4: 7       He fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith.

Proverbs 3: 3-4      Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Gene Febus had a good name…..

A celebration of life for both Jan and Gene will be held at United Church of Christ, Congregational, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina, Ohio on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at noon. Friends and family are invited. A private burial will take place afterwards.

The family suggests donations to Crossroads Hospice in Gene's memory.