Gene A. Ottens, 84, of Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, IL, died Monday, May 6, 2024, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation.
Gene was born August 2, 1939, in Morrison, to John K. and Henrietta (Haan) Ottens. He first attended schools in Milledgeville, and Thomson, IL, then later attended the Benton Street Grade School in Prophetstown, IL. In 1958 he graduated from Prophetstown High School. On October 2, 1959, he married Phyllis Ann Jaquet in Prophetstown. She died June 19, 2014. Gene worked at Penberthy Manufacturing Company in Prophetstown for 46 years, until retiring in 2006. He was a member of the former Morrison Christian Reformed Church in Morrison, where he served as an Elder and Deacon, among other positions. He was a leader for the Lyndon Loyal Leaders 4-H Club and a 4-H Softball coordinator and Coach for 20 years. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing Softball; he was a lifelong Cubs fan. Gene loved working with the local farmers.
Survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Bruce) Zaagman of Lyndon, IL; sons, Allen (Karen) Ottens of Loves Park, IL, Jeff (Colette) Ottens of Marysville, KS, and Greg (Nicky) Ottens of Mattoon, IL; six grandchildren, Bridget (Derrick) Maupin, Nathan and Nicholas Ottens, Braeden, Bailey, and Olivia Ottens; five stepgrandchildren, Mike (Sarah) McGuire, Melissa (Todd) Walker, Jenny Martin, Mary (Aaron) Huber, and Chrissy (Matt) Tripodi; three great-grandchildren, Riley, Charlotte, and Tanner Maupin; 14 stepgreat-grandchildren; two stepgreat-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Joyce (Phil) Hook and Elsie (Roland) Foster, both of Fulton, IL, and Bonnie (Phil) Dorsey of Morrison; brothers, DuWayne (Sharee) Ottens of Morrison and Larry Ottens of Batavia, IL; brother-in-law, Vernon (Shelly) Jaquet of Tampico, IL.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis; sisters-in-law, Diane Ottens and Jackie Jaquet; grandson, Brent Zaagman.
His Funeral service was held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
The Visitation began at 1:00 p.m., until the time of the service.
Interment was in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison., IL.
A memorial has been established to Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, IL.