Gene L. Gettys
April 18, 1928 — August 13, 2008
Gene Lloyd Gettys, Sr. was born on April 18, 1928, in Alta, Iowa, to Joe and Clara (Sherman) Gettys. He attended school in Sibley, Iowa, before graduating from the Harlan Community School System where he was a standout athlete.
Upon graduation Gene served in the United States Navy for two years. He then furthered his education at The University of Iowa where he graduated in May 1952.
Gene was united in marriage to Jeannette Stephens on December 26, 1957, in Wall Lake, Iowa. Seven children were born to this union: Pam, Tom, Jill, Joe L, Jock, Tricia and Gene Jr.
In addition to being a father and helping Jeannette raise their seven children he was a teacher and coach. He was consistent in his approach and garnered respect from not only his children but also many of his students and athletes. He briefly served at Glenwood and Denison before landing at his alma mater, the Harlan Community School System, where he retired in May of 1988.
Gene�s retirement years were spent enjoying the game of golf which he played relentlessly as a youth. He and his wife spent the winter months in Edinburg, Texas where he could enjoy the warmth and continue his golf game.
Gene died on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, have attained the age of 80 years, three months, and twenty-six days. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Clara, and his brother, Joe L, killed in WWII.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years Jeannette Gettys of Harlan, his children: Pam and her husband Danny Captain of Seneca, Missouri, Tom Gettys and his wife Jackie of Plano, Texas, Jill and her husband Tom Murtaugh of Harlan, Joe L Gettys and his wife Kathy of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jock Gettys and his wife Tracee of Harlan, Tricia Doonan and her fianc� Merrit Blunk of Kiron, Iowa, and Gene Gettys Jr. and his wife Angie of Harlan, twenty grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; other family members and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, August 15, 2008, with Pastor Donna Ewert officiating the 1:30 PM service at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were his children: Pam Captain, Tom Gettys, Jill Murtaugh, Trisha Doonan, Gene Gettys, Jr., Joe L Gettys, and Jock Gettys. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan
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Upon graduation Gene served in the United States Navy for two years. He then furthered his education at The University of Iowa where he graduated in May 1952.
Gene was united in marriage to Jeannette Stephens on December 26, 1957, in Wall Lake, Iowa. Seven children were born to this union: Pam, Tom, Jill, Joe L, Jock, Tricia and Gene Jr.
In addition to being a father and helping Jeannette raise their seven children he was a teacher and coach. He was consistent in his approach and garnered respect from not only his children but also many of his students and athletes. He briefly served at Glenwood and Denison before landing at his alma mater, the Harlan Community School System, where he retired in May of 1988.
Gene�s retirement years were spent enjoying the game of golf which he played relentlessly as a youth. He and his wife spent the winter months in Edinburg, Texas where he could enjoy the warmth and continue his golf game.
Gene died on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, have attained the age of 80 years, three months, and twenty-six days. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Clara, and his brother, Joe L, killed in WWII.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years Jeannette Gettys of Harlan, his children: Pam and her husband Danny Captain of Seneca, Missouri, Tom Gettys and his wife Jackie of Plano, Texas, Jill and her husband Tom Murtaugh of Harlan, Joe L Gettys and his wife Kathy of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jock Gettys and his wife Tracee of Harlan, Tricia Doonan and her fianc� Merrit Blunk of Kiron, Iowa, and Gene Gettys Jr. and his wife Angie of Harlan, twenty grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; other family members and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, August 15, 2008, with Pastor Donna Ewert officiating the 1:30 PM service at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were his children: Pam Captain, Tom Gettys, Jill Murtaugh, Trisha Doonan, Gene Gettys, Jr., Joe L Gettys, and Jock Gettys. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan
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