Eugene Nier

GENE A. NIER, age 65 of Elburn, IL, passed away peacefully at his home, Friday evening, April 9, 2004. Diagnosed with cancer in 2000, Gene fought courageously and, with the loving care of his wife, family and friends, had maintained an active normal life until recent weeks when a rapid decline began. BORNHe was born July 27, 1938 the son of Arnold and Doris (Schroyer) Nier. Gene grew up in Kaneville and graduated from Maple Park High School with the class of 1956. He attended the University of Illinois for a time and entered the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Gene had a mind for engineering but no patience with desk-work. Returning home he worked with Lynn Howard bending sheet metal for a tsime before discovering his niche in the world at Harms Chevrolet. He began a mechanic on April fools day, 1960 and, in a very short time, he became service manager, For over forty-years with Harms Chevrolet and its successor, Bob Jass Chevrolet, Gene remained Elburn’s "Mr Goodwrench". Gene’s reputation for knowledge, excellence and honesty was respected from Elburn to the GM executives. In his retirement and even through his illness, Gene kept working as a truck driver for K&P Trucking and especially enjoyed driving a rig for Curt Meredith that was the envy of truckers all over the area. But Gene Nier was much more than "Mr. Goodwrench". From his youth, he loved hunting and trapping and that love of the outdoors was equally part of his life as husband, father and friend. MARRIED On September 10, 1960 Gene was united in marriage to Sharon "Skip" Wilkison and they made their home in Elburn where their son Steve was born. In 1967, Skip and Gene went their separate ways and Gene later married Sharon Ritchey on March 21, 1970. In their garage, Gene built everything from "fox hunting ATVs" to experimental aircraft. He was part owner in three planes and created his own aircraft, the "Kit Fox" from scratch. His CB handle was Sky King. Everything Gene touched had to be "Nierized". That meant high performance, beautifully detailed and ready for anything. Gene shoved Chevy V-8’s in his friends Jeeps, united a International Truck Cab, a Willys Jeep and a chevy engine & transmission to build the greatest Fox Hunting Mobile ever and helped Leon Meredith build dragsters.Gene was one of the original members of the Kaneland Fox Hunters, which included annual festivities at the Rowe farm among others. Legends abound from his annual hunting trips to Wyoming as well as escapades in Canada, Colorado and Wisconsin where he hunted, snowmobiled and ATV’d with the best of them. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.SURVIVORSIn addition to his wife, Sharon, he is survived by his mother, Doris Nier of Kaneville, One son, Steven (Stacy) Nier of Tina, MO.And their children: Drew and KatieOne sister, Karen (Leonard) Heinberg of Kaneville, ILOne brother, Myron (Lenore) Nier of Hinckley, ILTwo nephews and two nieces and their families:Kim (Mike) Paulus of Sugar Grove, ILAnd their children: Chris and Ben;Susan (Jeff) Henne of Kaneville, ILAnd their children Nick and MelanieJeff (Cara) Nier of Hinckley, ILAnd their children Alex, Kourtney, McKenzie;Mark (Bethany) Nier of Canastota, NY;One brother-in-law, Ron (April) Ritchey, and their daughter, Kelly.Several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews by marriage andAnd a countryside of friends.PRECEDEDHe is preceded in death by his father, Arnold, his mother and father-in-law, LaVerne "Bud" and Charlene Ritchey and one sister-in-law, Sandra Carroll. MEMORIALSMemorials in his name will be donated to benefit either VNA Hospice or Cancer Research. Checks may be made to the Gene Nier Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119

VISITATIONFriends may call at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, Tuesday, April 13, 2004 from 4-8pm.SERVICESHis funeral service will be held 10am, Wednesday, April14 at the funeral home. The Rev. Katherine Lawes, pastor of the Community Congregational Church will officiate

Following cremation, private family committal services will be held at Kaneville Cemetery