Gene Kitchen

NEW LENOX, Ill. -- Gene Kitchen, 88, of New Lenox, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Gene was born May 22, 1929, in Cape Girardeau to William Paul and Fredricka Pearl Kneibert Kitchen. He and Virginia Bergdahl were married Aug. 29, 1964, in Chicago. She preceded him in death Oct. 31, 2009.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Gene was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as the Masons in Chicago. Gene worked for Union Carbide as an assembly mechanic.

Survivors include a son, John Paul Kitchen of Cape Girardeau; brothers, Doug and Larry Kitchen of Cape Girardeau; and a granddaughter, Sierra Kitchen of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; five brothers, Paul, Sam, Jake, Jerry Lee and Billie Jo Kitchen; and a sister, Joann Blattel.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Entombment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.