Gene A. Heth

Gene A. Heth, 73, of St. Joseph, MI and Naples, FL, passed away on Oct. 3, 2008, at his home. A service celebrating Gene’s life will be held at 3pm Saturday October 11, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gene may be made to Sarett Nature Center, 2300 N. Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Ln., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Friends wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gene was born March 24, 1935 in Ft. Atkinson, WI to George and Laura (Anthes) Heth and graduated from Ft. Atkinson High School in 1953, where he excelled in sports and academics. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1957 and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and Navy ROTC. Gene served full time in the Navy for three years and in the Naval Reserve for ten additional years, and was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant. While in the reserves, Gene attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1963. Gene worked in the Legal Department at Whirlpool Corporation from 1963 until 1992. During the 80’s, he served on the Whirlpool Credit Union Board of Directors, concluding his tenure there as president. After retirement, Gene was fortunate to be able to spend time pursuing his many interests, including fishing, travel, cooking, golf and tennis. In his retirement years, he became an accomplished wood worker, and has adorned the homes of family and friends with a legacy of beautiful furnishings. He was a member of Berrien Hills Country Club in Benton Harbor, MI and Countryside Country Club in Naples, FL., where he served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. Gene had a lifetime of accomplishments, but what really endeared him to his family and friends was his cool, calm, collected approach to life. He was a great listener, and when he did talk, he usually said something you needed to know. If you had known Gene for any length of time, you also knew him as a counselor and mentor. He possessed the innate ability to simplify that which seems complex to others and people always felt more capable and knowledgeable after hearing his advice. While Gene wasn’t the most extroverted and gregarious person in the crowd, his sharp wit and sense for making the right decision made you want to be on his team because you just knew, in the long-run, you’d be a winner. Whether it was a fishing trip or a golf tournament, you just wanted to be in Gene’s boat or cart. With all his great accomplishments and qualities, Gene’s greatest legacy will be his children because when you are with them, you feel like Gene is right there in the room. Survivors include Gene’s wife of 46 years, Nancy (Bull), children Polly (Rick) Wilson and John, grandchildren Laura and Perry Wilson, and 6 nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his brother, James.