Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon L. (Coning) Schlechty whom he married July 1, 1951; son & daughter-in-law, Tony & Marty Schlechty of Greenville, Ohio; daughters & sons-in-law, Debbie & Jim Ernst of Defiance, Ohio and Melody & Matt Setters of Duncan, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Kyle & Amber Schlechty, Craig “Biggin” & Jennifer Schlechty, Kurt & Emily Schlechty, Emily Stark, Hunter Stark, Cordell Setters and Jordan Setters; great-grandchildren, Kody Schlechty, Kaylee Schlechty, Carl Schlechty, Caleb Schlechty and Caden Schlechty; Gene was also known as Grandpa to many friends; sister, Mary Fields of Farmland, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gene was also preceded in death by a grandchild, Kari Schlechty; great-grandchild, James Schlechty; and brother, John Schlechty.
Gene served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Philippines. Gene was a grain and dairy farmer and formerly worked at the Union City Body Company in Union City, Indiana. Gene was a member of the Woodington Congregational Christian Church. He was a former Trustee for Jackson Township. Gene was an avid motorcycle rider, having toured 47 States, Canada and Nova Scotia with family and friends. Gene was an avid horseman and participated in several parades. He enjoyed and helped train harness racing horses at the Darke County Fair Grounds.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Jim Fulton officiating. Burial will follow in Teegarden Cemetery in Ansonia. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. and Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodington Congregational Christian Church or State of the Heart Hospice. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
