January 27, 1932 – May 4, 2018
Age 86
This is the story of Eugene M. Cloyd. Gene was a wonderful father that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Dad” as he liked to be called by his children and his wife, Dot, was an amazing husband, father, son, dedicated servant of God, and man of many talents and hobbies.
Gene’s story starts on January 27th, 1932, the oldest child to Reba and Norman Cloyd. Merle Eugene "Gene" Cloyd was born in Winchester, Indiana. Gene attended Palestine Schools and loved working on the family farm with his brothers Norman Jr., Robert, and Jerry. While attending school in Palestine, Gene met the love of his life for the next 67 years, Dorothy (Bevins) Cloyd. They started their family home in Hollansburg, Ohio and as the family grew, Gene purchased land on a farm on US Route 36 West of Greenville and built a beautiful house with barns for what would become the family homestead. At this location, Gene continued to farm and run his personal business for 43 years called Cloyd, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
Gene was known for his farming and plumbing business, but his greatest blessing was his 7 children and their spouses: Linda (Wilbert) Raby, Janet (Mark) Ashworth, Gary (Jane) Cloyd, Darlene (Dale) Ary, Ron (Lisa) Cloyd, Janene (Corey) Pearson, and Janel (Mark) Baker. They also have enjoyed many family gatherings and time spent with their 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reba (Hollingsworth) and Norman, in-law’s Cora (Sleppy) and Roy Bevins and son-in-law, Corey Pearson. Gene's favorite day of the week was Sunday when he could enjoy time with family, cook-outs and home-made ice-cream.
Sunday's were always spent at Beech Grove Church of the Brethren in Hollansburg, Ohio where Gene was a member and dedicated servant to His Lord and Savior. At Beech Grove, Gene was a deacon, church board member, led many committees, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and in a gospel quartet. Gene was involved in outreach ministries including Lay-Witness Missions and enjoyed reading his Bible and teaching. Gene was president of the Darke County Weekday Religious Education program for 40 years. Gene loved people and lived each day sharing some funny story or making us laugh. He enjoyed fishing, hunting mushrooms, picking raspberries, coaching little league baseball, playing church dart-ball and following the Tri-Village Patriots and Cincinnati Reds. He finished life well at the Brethren Retirement Community and made us all so proud of his Godly life and legacy he left us.
Time for visitation and celebration will be on Tuesday, May 8th from 5-8 PM at Zechar Baily Funeral Home on N. Broadway in Greenville, Ohio. The funeral will be at the Beech Grove Church of the Brethren located at 3420 Harrison Road Hollansburg, Ohio on Wednesday, May 9th at 10:00AM with visitation one hour prior to the service. Officiating pastors will be Gary Cloyd and Jeremy Ashworth. Memorial gifts may be given to Beech Grove Church of the Brethren or the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville. Family members would like to thank the BRC Staff, Hospice Staff and the many friends and families that have supported us through Gene’s journey.
Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com.
