Wilburn E. "Gene" Sutton

Wilburn Eugene Sutton

September 24, 1932 – May 24, 2021

Wilburn E. “Gene” Sutton was born on September 24, 1932, to Condon C. and Rosalie (Neikirk) Sutton, and passed away on May 24, 2021. He was loved by all who truly knew him and will be sadly missed. He had a huge heart full of love and compassion and touched the lives of his family and friends in many special ways.

On September 24, 1976, he married the love of his life, Mary E. Welch, and they shared a beautiful life together for 45 years. They were rarely seen apart and enjoyed many activities, especially traveling and spending treasured time with family.

Gene worked construction in a supervisory capacity for many years and was also business manager of the Laborer’s Local 465 for several years.

He served in the US Army Active Duty in Korea from September 1952 through September 1954 at the rank of CPL E-4. With his time in the army, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and United Nations Service Medal, among other awards and accomplishments. He also served in the Army Reserves until September 1960.

Gene enjoyed and excelled at many activities and was an especially outstanding woodworker, having crafted many beautiful pieces over the years.

He loved his family and was a wonderful father, as well as mentor. Later in life, he especially enjoyed spending time with and engaging in various activities with his grandchildren, “making memories” that he hoped would be remembered by them for a lifetime.

He is survived by wife Mary; daughters Melissa (Josh) Edwards, Erin (Tim) Osstifin, and Deidre Smith; brothers Robert Sutton, Doyle Sutton, and David (Eva) Sutton; grandchildren Patrick, Brian, and Willow Lewis, Camryn Osstifin, Cody and Toni Lynn Banas, Ciera Smith, and Audrey Watrous.

He was preceded in death by his parents Condon and Rosalie Sutton, daughters Rosemarie and Tamara Sutton, son Neil Banas, and brothers Charlie and Delano Sutton.

In accordance with Gene’s wishes, cremation has taken place with no services at this time. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences or words of comfort may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com