Gene R. Ferguson, 78, of Heyworth, died at 8:50 p.m. Saturday (March 31, 2012) at Manor Court, Clinton.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Church of Heyworth, Heyworth. The Rev. Amanda Richards will officiate. The family requests that those attending wear casual clothes. Burial will be in Heyworth Cemetery, Heyworth with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heyworth Ambulance, the Heyworth Fire Department or the United Church of Heyworth.

He was born May 3, 1933, in McLean, to Clint and Loueva Evans Ferguson. He married Ella Louise Lee April 28, 1954, in Clinton. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Gary R. (Shawne) Ferguson, Heyworth; one daughter, Eva B. (David) Shepherd, Heyworth; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one brother, Clint (Dorothy) Ferguson Jr., Heyworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Danny and Jerry Ferguson; and one daughter, Ellen Ferguson.

Gene was a U.S. Army veteran and was a self-employed contractor. He also was a custodian at Heyworth High School.

He was a member of the United Church of Heyworth and the Carl E. Miller American Legion Post 624.