Amos Eugene "Gene" Stewart, Jr.

Amos Eugene "Gene" Stewart Jr., age 89 of Albia, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Gene was born January 16, 1924 to Amos Eugene Sr. and Lois Marguerite (Gray) Stewart in rural Monroe County. He attended county school and later went to high school in Albia. After school he married Lucille Silvers on April 28, 1946 in Albia. After 42 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on February 15, 1989. On July 24, 1993 Gene married Reverta Laws Brown in Albia. Gene farmed while working at Morrell's in Ottumwa for 26 ½ years, where many knew him by "Crackers." After working at Morrell's he drove a truck for Goode Feed and Seed and Reed's Construction in Albia. Gene also had a Sunday paper route for many years. He was a member of the Church of Christ Church in Ottumwa, and Farm Bureau in Albia. Gene enjoyed being outdoors, raising horses, and helping his son farm. Gene is survived by his wife Reverta Stewart of Albia; his children, Dale Stewart of Albia, Beverly Stewart-Smith of Knoxville, Dean Stewart of Unionville, Mo, Ruth Stewart of Lincoln, NE, Gary (Kimberly Kay) Stewart of Bussey, and James (Melinda) Stewart of Albia; a Son-in-law, Jim Herrald; 5 stepchildren, Betty Patterson of Albia, Bill (Eva) Brown of Drakesville, Judy (Bill) Hixson of Ottumwa, Michael (Milenda) Brown of Chillicothe and Barbara (Raymond) Shaw of Ottumwa; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren; 26 step grandchildren, 64 step great grandchildren, and 5 step great great grandchildren. Gene is also survived by siblings, Minnie Ashmore of Olathe, KS, Lois Ann (Jim) Rossie of Conway, AR, Carl Stewart of Albia, Ray (Kay) Stewart of Albia, and Henry (Jane) Stewart of Carter Lake, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Lois; his first wife Lucille; children, Robert Stewart, Marilyn Herrald, John and Nancy Stewart both in infancy; siblings Phyllis Whitmarsh and Roland Stewart. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at the First Christian Church in Albia, with Pastor Norman Ward officiating. Burial will follow at Service Chapel Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will be 3 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Gene's family present from 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Monroe County Hospice in Albia.

Amos Eugene "Gene" Stewart, Jr.

January 16, 1924 - June 23, 2013