Eugene Porter

Eugene H. Porter Marion- Eugene H. Porter, 94, of Marion passed away, Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Herrin Hospital. A memorial service will be held for Gene on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2:30 PM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marion with the Reverend Marlin Otte officiating. A Fellowship Luncheon will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, it was Eugene’s wish that memorials be made to the American Heart Association; envelopes are available at the church and funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Gene was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1915 in Murphysboro, IL to George T. & Elizabeth (Walshmidt) Porter. He Married Ellen Albers on February 17, 1940 in the Murphysboro First Lutheran Church. Ellen preceded him on Wednesday, April 2, 2008. Survivors include his sons, Dr. Thomas E. Porter & wife Beverly Bible of Herrin, Dr. William H. Porter & wife Sophia of Guangzhou, China, Richard E. Porter & wife Belinda Kokoro of Marion; daughter-in-law, Geraldine Porter; grandchildren, Laura Kobrick & her husband Bob along with her daughters Kaci & Abby Wooldridge, Dr. Melissa & Mark Morley and their sons Alec, Ty, Asher and Taggart, Angela Janczak & her husband Dave, Dianna Porter, Scott & Pamela Porter and their daughter Hannah, William Heyn & his wife Alison, Chris Porter, and Elizabeth Porter. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Maggie Porter; sister, Barbara Porter; brothers, George Lehning Porter, John Edwin Porter and Henry W. Porter. Gene graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1933 and started in business with his brother John that same year. They purchased a Murphysboro service station, which began a long career in business. In 1940 he dissolved his partnership with John and formed a new one with his brother Henry. In 1943 they opened a tire re-cap shop and in 1945 secured a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. In 1965 he purchased Marion Metal & Roofing and ran a successful wholesale buildings material business which expanded to locations in St. Louis, Mo & Evansville, IN, until he sold the business and retired in 1990. Long active in community organizations, he was a life time member of the Lion’s Club and Elk’s Club and past President of Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce. After moving to Marion, Gene helped launch the Redeemer Lutheran Church and was an active member until his death.