Gene Richard Catalpa, beloved husband, father, and papa, age 78, of Collinsville, IL, born November 13, 1943 in East St. Louis, IL, entered eternal life on April 25, 2022 with his loving family surrounding him.
Gene graduated from Collinsville High School in 1961. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree at SIUE, he went on to teach PE and history in the Collinsville School District. In addition to teaching, Gene coached basketball and football. He was the head basketball coach at CHS from 1978-1985 and was awarded Illinois Basketball Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” twice. He was passionate about coaching which his players felt both on the floor and in the locker room, and he truly cared for each of his players over the years. He retired from teaching in 1994. He continued to work at Fairmount Race Track as a pari-mutuel clerk, a job which he held for forty-five years, before retiring in 2017. Gene was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and enjoyed being head usher as well as a lector for many years. “Geno,” as he was lovingly referred to by his friends, was an avid and competitive golfer and enjoyed spending time with his friends on and off the golf course. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and cheering on each of his grandchildren at their sporting events. Gene is smiling down on us from Heaven, and his one-of-a-kind smile will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rinaldo and Lena (nee Denando) Catalpa, and a brother, Robert Catalpa, Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Joan (nee Rull) Catalpa, whom he married on February 27, 1965; three daughters: Gina McClure, Jill (Darrell) Groom, and Julie (Tom) Gerstenecker, all of O’Fallon, IL; five grandchildren: Tyler and Clayton Groom, Dylan and Hayden Gerstenecker, and Hannah McClure; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Catalpa of Collinsville, IL; cousins Susie (Tom Vertovsek) Lingle and Linda (Fred) Kasper, of Collinsville, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2022 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, with Father John Beveridge, Celebrant. Burial will be in SS Peter & Paul Cemetery.
Memorial donations are suggested to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or to Kahok Strong and will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.
