Thomas "Gene" Kirtley

Thomas G. “Gene” G. Kirtley, 79, of Underwood, Indiana, passed away at 4:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. 

Gene was born on Monday, March 24, 1941, in Pekin. He was the son of Joseph T. Kirtley and Francis G. (Gray) and Robert Amos. He was raised by his grandmother, Alice Gray. All are deceased. 

Gene was a 1959 Pekin High School graduate and served in the United States Airforce from October 7, 1963 until October 1, 1967.

He retired from International Harvester and owned and operated Pop-A-Top Tavern in Pekin for 30 years.  He was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Switzerland County, Indiana, an avid I.U. fan, a huge NASCAR enthusiast, enjoyed hunting and fishing, was an excellent cook who loved to garden and can.  He played the lottery and has played the same numbers every week since the lottery started. Gene looked forward to spending winters at his home in Florida.

Gene met the love of his life over 43 1/2 years ago, Shirley Goble. who survives in Underwood.

Other survivors include a son, Tim Kirtley of England; two grandchildren: Ashley (Scott) Harris of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Tommy Tucker (Megan) Kirtley of Pekin; four great grandchildren: Ava and Owen Harris, Asher and Aubrey Kirtley; a sister: Rosemary (Larry) McCutcheons of Leavenworth, Indiana, and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Tom Kirtley, a sister, Joann Reilly, and a brother, Jackie Joe Kirtley.

Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at Adams Family Funeral Home & Crematory in Henryville, visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m.

Please follow the CDC’s recommendations and guidelines while attending the visitation and funeral, face masks are required per state mandates.

Family requests expressions of sympathy may be given to the American Legion Post # 185 in Vevay c/o Adams Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 209 S. Ferguson St., Henryville, IN 47126.

Online condolences can be given to the family and a video tribute can be viewed at www.AdamsFuneralHomeOnline.com.

 

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