Birth date: Jun 26, 1938 Death date: Jun 11, 2025
Pastor Loren Eugene “Gene” Southard, age 86, of Hidalgo, IL and formerly of Casey, IL and Martinsville, IL entered his Heavenly Home at 6:41 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at his daughter’s home. He was born June 26, 1938 in rur Read Obituary
My most sincere condolence's to his daughter Debbie & extended family. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. (Also, to his ex-wife, Billy Patterson) I feel Gene should also be remembered for being a wonderful, Girl's Fast Pitch, Softball Coach, back in my sister & I's, teenage years. In the 1970's. We both enjoyed playing softball for the "Electrodes" with Gene as our Coach! Gene was also inducted into the Casey Softball Hall of Fame Museum, at the Casey, IL Park, as well as my parent's. I always felt that Gene deserved it as well! I always had extremely high respect for Gene! I knew him best when he was married to Billy. I have always thought of him & had planned to go visit him, while he was living in Marshall. I sincerely regret that I didn't make it out to visit him soon enough. I am very sad to hear of his passing. But I know he is with the Lord & in good hands. The last time I spoke to Gene I asked him if he remembered me & he said, of course I do, you always wanted to be on that ball field playing. And it meant a lot to me that he respected my determination & skills on the softball field. Sadly missed, always remembered.
I WAS MARRIED TO HIM FOR 30 YRS. HE WAS A MUCH TALENTED MAN, HE COULD DO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING. I WAS PARTICULARY PROUD OF HIM WHEN HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO CHRIST AND ENTERED MINISTRY CLASSES IN TERRE HAUTE. HE LEARNED A LOT IN THERE. ONE THING, HERMANUDICS, IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU SPELL IT. I NEVER DID FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANT, BUT ALL PASTORS OR PROBABLY ALL KNOW WHAT IT MEAN.S
WE HAD MANY GOOD YEARS TOGETHER. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT DAD TO MY KIDS. WHEN I SAID SOMETHING TO ONE OF THEM, THEY SAID ANYONE WOULD LOVE GENE.
THINGS HAPPEN AND WE WERE DIVORCED. I ALWAYS HATED THAT ANYONE GOT DIVORCED. BUT THERE IS USUALLY A REASON. I EXPECTED TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH HIM. I LOVED HIM.
HE WAS A GOOD PERSON. WE USED TO PLAY SANTA CLAUS AT CHURCH AND HIDE THINGS IN PEOPLE'S CARS WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY THINGS THEIR KIDS WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS. I THINK THE BIGGEST GIFT WE GAVE WAS A BICYCLE AND SOME KIND OF COMPUTER GAME.
THERE ARE MANY PRECIOUS MEMORIES OF OUR WHOLE LIFE TOGETHER. I'M GLAD THAT HE MADE GOOD MEMORIES IN HIS FOLLOWING LIFE. I WISHED HIM THE BEST. I WOULD NEVER PUT HIM DOWN.
ENJOY YOUR TIME IN HEAVEN GENE. ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.
BILLIE AND RUSSELL PATTERSON
