Submitted by: Dan Rich
Eugene J. Bethe
MISHAWAKA - Eugene J. Bethe, 86, of
Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2006, in Hospice
House, South Bend. Eugene was born on January 12, 1920, in
Milwaukee, WI, as the son of the now late August and Clara (Reinmund)
Bethe. Also preceding Eugene were a sister, Elva Bethe, and a
brother, Allan Bethe. His family moved to Chicago when he was a
young boy and he remained there until 1943 when he relocated to
Mishawaka upon graduating from the University of Chicago with a
degree in chemistry.
On April 24, 1943, in Mishawaka, Eugene married the former Mary
Jane Contat. He is survived by his loving wife of 63
years, Mary; a daughter, Christine (Charles) Wukovits of
Mishawaka; two granddaughters, Caryn (Rodney) Musselman of
Muncie, Indiana, and Carol (Dave) Palay of Lake Charles,
Louisiana; four great-grandchildren, Victoria and Sophia
Musselman, and Ethan and Charlie Palay; and by his four-legged
“baby,” Abigail.
Eugene worked in the Latex Foam Research Department at Uniroyal
in Mishawaka for over 40 years before he retired in 1983. He was
a member of the Elks Club and the Uniroyal Men's Club. Gene
enjoyed dancing, volunteering at the Center for the Homeless and
Pet Refuge, “tinkering” in his garage, and playing
cards.
Visitation with the family will be Saturday, January 20, from
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home, with a memorial
service at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the First Unitarian Church of South
Bend, The Center for the Homeless or to Pet Refuge.