Gene Wade Elkin

Gene Wade Elkin 1940-2018 Gene Wade Elkin passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2018 at home. He was born June 15, 1940 in Owen County, KY at home to Clay and Mary (Handy) Elkin. Gene survived polio, and spent much of his youth with his grandparents, Walter (Pop) and Nancy (Mom) Handy. He graduated from Owen County High School in 1958. Gene served in the US Navy from 1958 – 1962 after which he transferred to the Navy reserves. He retired as a Commander in Judge Advocate General Corps. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University Law School. Gene married Martha Ellen Keene in June 1962 in Auburn ME. During their 25 years of marriage they had three children, Jeffrey Wade, (deceased), Christopher Lewis, Loami IL, and Kimberly Sue McGuire, Queensbury, NY. Gene was particularly proud of his children and grandchildren. Gene practiced law in the banking sector and worked for many years including Carondelet Savings in St. Louis. He served the Federal Government with the Resolution Trust Corporation, FDIC, and retired from the USDA in St. Louis in 2012. Gene loved his job, and his coworkers, was a very hard worker, and rare to never took a sick day. Gene married Patricia Blair in 1990, and became a step parent to Pats daughter Norma. Pat was known for her amazing cooking and how she doted on Gene. During their marriage they enjoyed traveling and their dachshunds, Lilly and Molly. We were all impressed with how Gene cared for Pat during her final years with great devotion and love. Gene was an avid birder, angler, and supporter of the arts in particular opera and theater. He loved history, fine scotch, and horse racing…oh and political banter! Gene was generous, always willing to help a neighbor or a friend. He enjoyed his annual trip with Jerry Long to the Breeders Cup. He loved a good party, and a good meal, lunches with Doris and company, and bragging about his grandchildren. His smile, wit and humor, practical jokes, slow deliberate speeches and Sunday drives were uniquely him. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family. He is survived by: His son, Christopher Lewis and wife Christine of Loami Il. His daughter, Kimberly Sue McGuire, of Queensbury NY and former husband, Matthew McGuire Grandchildren: Victoria, Genevieve, Dennis Elkin, and Macie, Kalyn, Mattison and James McGuire Step Grandchildren: David Ushman, and Jaime Jones, Great Grandchild, Ethan Ushman. His brother William Elkin, Walkerton, IN and sister Janet Robison (Elkin) of Bowling Green, KY. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 2, 2019 4-8 pm at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home. The funeral will be Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:00 am at Jay B. Smith Fenton Chapel, 777 Oakwood Dr. Burial with full Military Honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery following the funeral.

Gene Wade Elkin

June 15, 1940 - December 28, 2018