Eugene B. "Gene" Korte

Eugene B. "Gene" Korte, age 91 of Highland, IL, died Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, IL. He was born on Sunday, October 19, 1924, in Pierron, IL, the son of John and Emma (nee Benke) Korte. On Saturday, December 29, 1979, he married Mary Haldi Korte nee Tschannen who survives. He was a member of Saint Paul Catholic Church; Knight of Columbus; VFW Post #5694; American Legion Post 439; former member of the Country Club; and former member of Highland Rotary Club. Gene was born north of Pierron, IL, on the family farm. He attended Immaculate Conception School, Pierron, IL. He worked for Wm. F. Mewes & Co. General Store in Pierron. He served with the U.S. Army for 2 1/2 years; 15 months duty overseas with the Second Infantry Division during WW II. He worked for Steiner's Men's Wear and later purchased the shoe division from the Steiner family. He was the owner and manager of Korte's Shoe Department Store for 24 1/2 years. In 1979 in worked as a real estate broker for Ralph Korte Realty Inc., later named Terra Properties. He enjoyed golfing, playing baseball, playing cards (bridge) and Saturday lunch with family. Survivors include: Wife - Mary Haldi Korte nee Tschannen, Highland, IL Son - Nic E. (Mary) Korte, Grand Junction, CO Son - Brad E. (Jeannie) Korte, Highland, IL Daughter - Jeannie M. (Scott) Korte, Highland, IL Step Son - Rick C. (Gail) Haldi, Highland, IL Grandchild - Ann E. (Ryan) Leonard, Grand Junction, CO Grandchild - Adam E. (Cara) Korte, Grand Junction, CO Grandchild - Aaron E. Korte, Cornville, AZ Grandchild - Julie M. Korte, Saint Louis, MO Grandchild - Ensign Matthew J. Korte, U. S. Navy, Norfolk, VA Grandchild - Alexander C. Korte, Highland, IL Grandchild - Nisa B. (Jason) Schmitz, Highland, IL Grandchild - Daniel S. Korte, Saint Louis, MO Great Grandchild - Zia K. Leonard, Grand Junction, CO Great Grandchild - Koen M. Leonard, Grand Junction, CO Great Grandchild - Anton J. Schmitz, Highland, IL Great Grandchild - Brea L. Schmitz, Highland, IL Sister - Lenore "Toots" Windsor, Saint Louis, MO Sister - Dorothy M. "Dot" Kimberlin, Highland, IL Brother - Gerald G. Korte, Highland, IL Brother - Marcellus W. "Popeye" (Agnes) Korte, Saint Rose, IL He was preceded in death by: Father - John G. Korte Mother - Emma E. Korte nee Benke First Wife - Margie D. Korte nee Pacatte (married 2/10/1948; died 6/28/1977) Brother - Jerome Korte (killed in WWII) Brother - Alfred J. "Al" Korte (died 7/17/1998) Brother - Joseph G. Korte (Died 1/4/2010) Sister - Magdalen M. "Madge" Haenny (Died 11/11/2006) Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, November 01, 2015, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Monday, November 02, 2015, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 02, 2015, at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL., with Rev. Father David L. Peters, officiating. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul School Educational Foundation; Friends of Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation.

Eugene B. "Gene" Korte

October 19, 1924 - October 28, 2015