Gene Downs

Gene A. Downs, age 61, of Ripon, died on Tuesday, March 03, 2009, at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh.

Gene was born on June 9, 1947 in Oshkosh, the son of Wesley and Viola (Cundy) Downs. He graduated from Ripon High School in 1965, and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1966 to 1969, and was in the Vietnam War. On December 28, 1968 he married Karen Quick at St. Wenceslaus Church in Ripon. Gene was a maintenance mechanic and worked for Speed Queen, Wells Mfg, Mercury Marine, and Bremmer Foods Cookie & Waffer Factory. He was involved in the Ripon Dartball League, bowling, and golf, in his younger years he raced stock cars in Oshkosh, and coached Little League Baseball, Ripon Robins Baseball, and the Skateland roller speed team, as well as being involved with being a 4H Leader, the Bent Band and was a member of the Royal neighbors of America.

Survivors include his wife Karen Downs of Ripon; two sons, Joshua (Annie) Downs of Ripon, and Joseph (Heather) Downs of Ripon; three granddaughters, Taylor, Avery, and Reese; one grandson, Joshua; two brothers, Benjamin (April) Downs of Ripon, and Wes (Pam) Downs of Ripon; and one sister, Barb (Carl) Packer of Pickett; and many Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Visitation for Gene Downs will be held from 4-7:00 pm on Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon. And again on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 11-12:00 noon, at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon.

Funeral service for Gene Downs will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon, with Reverend Robert A. Fictum officiating. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in the Town of Ripon. A memorial has been established in his name.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com