Preston E. “Gene” Morris, 72, of Lincoln Highway West in Plymouth, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, November 13th, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend after a heroic battle with cancer. A lifetime Plymouth resident, Gene was born on December 9, 1931 in Plymouth to Preston E. and Edith M. (Shirley) Morris. He was a graduate of West High School, Class of 1950, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball.
On December 25, 1952, he married Ruth A. Neidlinger, the love of his life and his wife of 52 years, in Culver, Indiana. Gene served his country in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic during the Korean Conflict. He continued in a career of automotive repair service as owner/operator of Geno’s Auto-Truck Service from which he retired in 1984.
A man of action rather than words, he could build and fix anything in the time frame given him. He especially enjoyed time spent with family, fishing trips to Canada, gardening and canning. Gene loved playing cards, watching Notre Dame football, I.U. basketball, the Chicago Cubs, Audie Murphy and John Wayne movies. Gene formerly attended the Union Church of the Brethren and was a former member of the V.F.W. Post 1162 of Plymouth.
Survivors include his loving wife, Ruth and their four children: Donna J. and Jim Burroughs of Argos, Diana L. Smiley and companion Ed Budka of Plymouth, Dennis E. Morris of Sevierville, Tenn., and David A. and Tracey Morris of Bunnell, Florida. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Tracy and Scott Moren of Bremen, Jason Smiley and companion Stacy Scibor of LaPorte, Amanda Burroughs of St. Louis, Missouri, Jimmy Burroughs of Bloomington, Indiana and Matthew and Marcus Morris of Bunnell, Florida. Gene’s beloved great-grandson Collin Moren age 2 of Bremen, a brother Phillip and Linda Morris of Zephyrhills, Florida and uncle Laurel and Carol Singleton of Knox also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant twin brothers, a step sister Rozella Cobb and sister-in-law Rebecca Morris.
Friends may call from 5 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2004 in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St. Plymouth and one hour prior services.
A celebration service of this gentle man’s life will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, November 17th at 1 p.m., the Rev. James Harper of Culver will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery where military rites will be accorded him by members of Veteran of Foreign Wars, Marshall County Post 1162.
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, Marshall Co. Unit, P.O. Box 515 Plymouth, Indiana 46563 or Indiana Ronald McDonald House, 1235 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46223.
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