Eugene F. “Gene” Schmelzle, 92, of Seneca, Kansas, died early Saturday morning, November 3, 2007 at his home.

Gene was born October 18, 1915, on a farm near the parish of Flush, KS, one of 11 children of Joseph E. and Agnes M. Baumchen Schmelzle. He attended a country school near Flush.

On July 18, 1938, he married Mary E. Aziere. They lived in Hampton, Iowa, where Gene worked on a farm. In 1942, they moved to a farm north of Kelly, Kansas. In 1944, they relocated to a farm a mile east of Seneca. Gene raised crops and operated a dairy with his wife and children until he retired in 1980. He was very proud of their family of eight sons and four daughters. Five of his sons served with and returned safely from the Armed Forces, some in combat.

Gene was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. After 46 years of marriage to his wife Mary, she preceded him in death on September 13, 1984.

On September 13, 1986, he married Geraldine “Gerri” Noll; she preceded him in death on December 13, 2006.

Gene’s neighbors, friends, and family will miss his soft-spoken voice, his gentle nature, his strong morals and life of example, and his loyalty in caring for the ones he loved.

Survivors include four daughters, Marjean Severin of Axtell, Dee Hudgens of Prairie Village, Jean Rasmussen of Westmoreland, Janice Larrison of Topeka; eight sons, John “Jack” and Charles, both of Atchison, Larry of Oneida, Robert of Axtell, Donald of Manhattan, Kansas, William of Salina, and David and Patrick, both of Seneca; three sisters, Loretta Umscheid of Manhattan, Bernadette Burns of Wichita, Mary Cooper of Tampa, Florida; one brother, Gilbert Schmelzle of Seneca; 46 grandchildren; and 63 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wives, Gene was preceded in death by three brothers, Herman, Clement and Cletus Schmelzle; three sisters, Sister Suzanne OSB, Sister Christine OSB, and Sister Ositha OSB; a stepdaughter, Elaine Kovacs; and a grandchild, Kathy Schmelzle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Tuesday, November 6, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be given for Parkinson’s disease research, and sent in care of the family.