Eugene “Gene” Bernard Padgett, 83, of Belleville, IL, born March 25, 1941, in East St. Louis, IL, died Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Revela, O’Fallon, IL.
Mr. Padgett was a baker and retired from Sandefur & Haas Bakery after 48 years of service. Gene adored his wife, Jeanette, and loved to buy her a single rose weekly even after she passed away. He was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. Gene was a wonderful baker and a member of the Bakers Union. He was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and working in his yard. Gene was a craftsman and especially talented in fixing things and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette C., nee Emke, Padgett, whom he married on April 15, 1963, and who died on June 7, 2020; his parents, Aloysius and Stella, nee Kowalski, Padgett; a brother, Tom Padgett; a sister, Addie Schweickhardt; a son-in-law, Steve Mensing; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Marie, nee Toennies, Emke.
Surviving are his three sons, Christopher (Carol) Padgett, Tim (Nubia Monsalve) Padgett, and Tony (Heather) Padgett; two daughters, Jo Marie Mensing, and Lisa (Jim) Vandeloo; and seven grandchildren, C.J., Cory, and Caitlin Padgett, Brian and Sarah Mensing, and Bayley and Madi Vandeloo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 14, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
