92 year-old Gene R. Hetzman died at Green Acres Assisted Living Home in Michigan on Wednesday, March 7. An Alma High School graduate with the class of 1943, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corp prior to graduation and served until his discharge in 1946. Gene worked in a variety of retail management positions during his life, such as GC Murphy “dime stores”, Western Auto franchises and, finally, selling and servicing oil field equipment. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and had been a member of the Masonic Order for 58 years as well as being a long-time Shriner.
He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Crean (Jere) of Richmond, Texas, a son, Michael Gene (Belinda) of Mount Pleasant, and grandchildren Patrick Crean, Andrew Crean , Sean Hetzman and Margaux Hetzman and great-grandchildren Amelia Elizabeth Hetzman and Alex Scott Hetzman, and a brother Robert (Nancy) of Higgins Lake. A private burial in southern Illinois will occur Monday, March 12. A memorial service and luncheon will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on May 19 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MidMichigan Hospice Services.