COLUMBUS

Eugene “Gene” Walker, 82, of Columbus, died at 9:43 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis.

Born June 11, 1932, in Columbus, he was the son of Jesse A. “Jack” and Eva Donica Walker. On Dec. 17, 1955, he married Betty J. Dile.

Gene loved spending time with his family and traveling with his wife in their motor home to Florida. He enjoyed gardening and tinkering with anything mechanical and was a jack of all trades capable of fixing anything. Gene always loved a good joke and had a great sense of humor his entire life. He never met a stranger and was always willing to help someone in need.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; son, Anthony E. (Kelly) Walker of Seymour; daughters, Sandy (Tom) Walker Benson of Columbus, Rita (Roger) Walker Graham of North Vernon and Cheri Walker of Columbus; brothers, Robert (Lois) Walker and Jim Walker, all of Columbus; grandchildren, Holly Kuznicki, Stephanie Heck-Bell, Brittany Percival, Connor Graham, Evan Graham, Grace Graham, Cordel Dixon and Jack Dixon; and stepgrandchildren, Tammy Heck Robertson and Lynsey Benson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Donna Walker and Lois Walker.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at East Columbus Christian Church with the Rev. Ron Bridgewater officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus and from 10 a.m. until time of service Friday at the church.

Burial will be at a later date at Bethel Baptist Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Columbus Christian School.

Online condolences may be made at jewellrittman.com.