Gene Wohler

Gene Wohler, 95, of Fairfield, passed away on February 14, 2023, in Springfield, Illinois.  Gene was born on July 14, 1927, in Sadorus, Illinois, to George Henry Wohler and Bernie Xenia (nee Schartiger) Wohler.  He was raised by his mother and step-father, David Harrison Pettigrew.  Gene lived in Fairfield from a very young age and was a member of the Fairfield First Baptist Church for nearly 80 years.

Gene was a member of the Fairfield Community High School Class of 1944.  He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Navy.  Gene was a graduate of Lockyear Business College, majoring in Higher Accounting.  During the early 1950s, he was the bookkeeper at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  For over 25 years, he was a caseworker for the Illinois Department of Public Aid. 

In 1954, Gene married Norma Koontz.  Together, they raised three children.  Norma passed away in 2002 from cancer.  Gene and Norma were very active in church and family activities.  They served as custodians at the Fairfield First Baptist Church for over 25 years.

Gene served for many years as a volunteer bookkeeper for the Greater Wabash Baptist Association.  Gene drove a bus for the Fairfield First Baptist Church’s bus ministry, youth ministry, and senior citizens for many years.  He also served in various other church and community volunteer positions.  He and his wife traveled to all 48 contiguous states, as well as, Canada and Mexico.  Gene was also an avid reader, enjoyed puzzles, and loved mowing at his farm.

Survivors include 3 children:  Debbie Wohler Reasoner, of Tahoe City, California, Judy Wohler Wilson (Stan Wilson), of Springfield, Illinois, and David Wohler, of Sparks, Nevada. 

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, his son-in-law, Dick Reasoner, his parents, step-father, two sisters, Dorothy Riley and Pauline Weaver, and two brothers-in-law, Woodrow Riley and Clark Weaver.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 20, at Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, Illinois, with burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Wohler family, 2809 Centennial Drive, Springfield, Illinois, 62711.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Fairfield First Baptist Church bus ministry.

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