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*WEST PEORIA *- Eugene "Gene" Topper, age 73, of West Peoria passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Lutheran Hillside Village Nursing Center in Peoria.

Gene lost his battle with cancer after just being diagnosed in January.

He was born July 2, 1937, in Mount Vernon, Ind., to Elby and Leoma (Hanmore) Topper.

He married Marianne Lumberry on Oct. 23, 1976.

She survives along with one brother, Donald (Joyce) Topper of West Peoria; two nieces, Katie (Kim) Shadley of Peoria and Jonell (Joseph) Madden of Des Plains, Ill.; and one sister-in-law, Roberta Lumberry of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Topper.

He was raised on the south side of Peoria and graduated from Manual High in 1955.

Gene was a Navy veteran, where he worked on jet turbine motors. Following his time in the military, he was employed by Hiram Walker for 23 years and later worked for Mitsubishi, retiring in 1991.

He was a member of the city of West Peoria zoning board.

He was gracious, kind, loving and good hearted. Gene's talent was that he could fix anything.

We will miss his smile, his warm nature and his wonderful ability to make someone smile.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 13, 2011, at 12 noon at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bartonville. The Rev. Philip Lund will officiate. Visitation will be two hours prior to the services on Monday at the church. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery with military rites accorded.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church at 200 Colona Ave., Bartonville, IL 61607 or to Lutheran Hillside Village Nursing Center.

Please view Gene's obituary online at www.Davison-Fulton.com

Source: Journal Star of Peoria
Date: June 10, 2011
Submitted by: Susan Armstrong