Gene Waterson Burrows, Jr., 95, of La Porte, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Settlers Place Senior Living.
Gene was born on January 1, 1923 in Chicago, IL, to Dr. Gene Waterson and Agnes Louise (Markovski) Burrows, Sr.
In 1947, Gene married Virginia Shufelt who preceded him in 1984. On April 19, 1985, at The La Porte Presbyterian Church, IN, he married Marilyn M. von Asch who survives. Also surviving are his beloved children, Sue Burrows (Steven) Sanders of West Lafayette, Nancy Burrows Magnuson of Michigan City; step-children, Michael (Myong) von Asch of Huntsville, AL, Susan von Asch (Jim) Schmidt of Bremen, AL, Jane von Asch (Karl) Seng of St. Joseph, MI, Jill von Asch (C.T.) Kitowski of La Porte; 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Inez (Bonnie) Wenner of Columbus, NC; as well as numerous step great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia; and brother, Charles Burrows.
Gene graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana.
Gene was a US Navy Pilot Veteran of WWII. He was a member of The La Porte Presbyterian Church where he was an ordained elder and past chairman of the facilities, worship and music committees. He was also a chairman of the United Way in 1971 and past chair of the La Porte Hospital Foundation. He received the La Porte Jaycee Outstanding Citizen Award winner in 1973, He was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, a life member of the La Porte Rotary Club, an Assistant Scout Master, a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Commodore of the Michigan City Yacht Club, a member of the La Porte Community Cancer Board. and chairman of the Cooperative Education Program for the Chamber of Commerce, Big Brother, Elks Member, Legacy Hills Board Member, and former board member of Sagamore Condominium Association.
Gene was a sales representative for New York Blower Co. and owned the G. Burrows Company. He enjoyed golfing, boating, gardening, cycling, flying, dancing and reading.
Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11 am (CST) on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at The Presbyterian Church of La Porte with the Rev. Dr. Sally Wicks officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30 am (CST) until the time of the service at the church. Interment will take place at a later date in the church columbarium with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The La Porte Presbyterian Foundation, 307 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350; The Unity Foundation of La Porte County, PO Box 527, Michigan City, IN 46360; Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383; or the Fisher Center for Alzheimers Research Foundation, 110 E. 42nd St, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10011.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.