Francis Eugene "Gene" Navin

Gene was born December 17, 1927, on the family farm south of Melrose, to Edward and Elizabeth (O'Connor) Navin. He was a 1945 graduate of Melrose High School. On July 2, 1966 he was united in marriage with Mary Jo Ryan at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose. Gene was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer on their century farm. He clerked at the Russell Sale Barn for 30 years. Gene was a lifetime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, a member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight in 1961, a member of St. Patrick's Parish Council, Church Trustee, and also served on the cemetery board for many years. Gene and Mary Jo enjoyed years of dancing, traveling, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He was also an avid sports fan. Gene was a wonderful, generous husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Gene is survived by his wife Mary Jo, six children Mike (Brenda) Ryan of Melrose, Joann Flattery of Ottumwa, Bill (Larisa) Ryan of Ankeny, Mark (Amy) Ryan of Union Grove, WI, Kevin (Jenny) Navin of Cedar Rapids, Karen (Danny) Marsh of Lincoln, NE, twelve grandchildren, Jason (Marty) Ryan of Albia, John (Angie) Ryan and Stephanie Storm (Keith Goodrich) of Russell, Michelle (Chad) Willis, Stacie (Todd) Manary and Sean (Jackie) Flattery of Ottumwa, Heather (Steve) Fitzpatrick and Melissa (Brett) Stoulil of Norwalk, Hannah and Rachel Marsh of Lincoln, NE and Joseph and Jack Navin of Cedar Rapids, 19 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, a brother Jerry (Josie) Navin of Mystic, CT, stepbrothers Gordon (Shirley) Massman of Centerville, Laverne (Tina) Massman of Corydon and step sister Helen Printy of Mesa, AZ and many nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters in law. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Martha Navin, two brothers and one sister in infancy, and one grandson Alex Staroska. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday January 14, 2012 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Visitation will be held from 2 until 8 PM, Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Tharp-Winfield Funeral Home in Albia. A rosary will be led Thursday at 4 PM, provided by St. Patrick's Altar and Rosary Society, with Gene's family present from 6 to 8 P.M. Visitation will also be held from 2 to 8 P.M. Friday, January 13, 2012 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be led at 6 P.M. and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. with Gene's family present from 5 to 8 P.M. Memorials have been established to Mount Calvary Cemetery, St. Patrick's Catholic Church or to Hospice of Monroe County.

Francis Eugene "Gene" Navin

December 17, 1927 - January 10, 2012