(Submitted by Mary Pardo)

Eugene F. "Gene" Figiel, 42 of Kalkaska, died Tuesday, Feb 29, 2000 at his home. Gene was born in Gaylord on July 26, 1957 the son of Edmund and Anna (Mankowski) Figiel. He was raised in Elmira and attended schools in Gaylord where he was a 1975 graduate of Gaylord High School. He moved to Kalkaska in 1980 and had been employed for the past four years by Baker Hughes Fishing Services. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.
Gene is survived by his soulmate Linda (Lantzer) Harden of Kalkaska and her children, Carrie (Mike) Childs of Rapid City and Kasey Harden of Rapid City, a son, Aaron of Elmira, his parents, Edmund and Anna Figiel of Elmira, a brother Ken (Steph) Figiel of Elmira, a sister Karen (Dave) Winowiecki of Elmira, two grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.
His sister, Barbie Figiel preceded him in death.
Friends called from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Wolfe funeral home in Kalkaska and from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Saturday, March 4 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Elmira. Interment will be in St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery in Elmira