Everett Eugene (Gene) Ellinger

Everett Eugene (Gene) Ellinger, age 87, of West Jefferson, Ohio passed away December 10, 2024. Gene was born on September 29, 1937, to the late Everett and Margene Ellinger in Richmond, VA. He was a graduate of West Jefferson High School class of 1955 and received an associates degree from Franklin University. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara (Hockenbery), and raised his four children there. He was very active in that community. He was a scout master, taught Sunday School, drove the school bus, was a realtor, a member of the West Jefferson Community Businessmen’s Association, volunteered for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, and served as Clerk for the Jefferson Twp. Trustees. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired as Chief Navy Storekeeper after 22 years of service. 

Gene was an avid fisherman, spending a lot of time in Canada with his father and brother, Richard. He enjoyed bicycling, hiking, camping with his family, and in his retirement, loved traveling across the country with his wife and spending his winters in Florida.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Margene Ellinger.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Barbara, sons Kevin (Renee) Ellinger, and Doug (Shelley) Ellinger, daughters Kim Haley and Laura Francis, brother Richard (Linda) Ellinger, grandchildren Sarah (Vince) Melfi, Emily (Mark) Carruthers, Nathan Haley, Avery (Dylan ) Wildman, Jonathan (Cassie) Francis, Jeffrey (Paige) Francis, Joseph (Bailey) Francis, Mitchell (Cindy) Ellinger, Dana (Patrick) Dalton, and Martin Ellinger, his great-grandchildren Charlie and Anna Melfi, Eric and Benjamin Carruthers, Sylvie Wildman, Major Francis, Gentry Francis, Theodore, and Anne Ellinger, and Juniper Dalton, nieces Erin (Wes) Baxter and Lara (Martin) Fetzer, and great nieces and nephews, Noelle Baxter, Gabriel, Beckett, and Louisa Fetzer.

Visitation will be held SUNDAY, December 15, 2024, at RADER-McDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 1355 W. Main St. West Jefferson from 2-4pm, and on MONDAY, December 16, 2024 at the WEST JEFFERSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 36 S. Center St., from 12-1pm where the funeral service will follow at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Gene’s name be made to the West Jefferson United Methodist Church or to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in West Jefferson.