Gene A. Disbennett

Gene Disbennett, 81, of Bucyrus, died Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Marion General Hospital.

He was born at home in Radnor, Ohio on April 23, 1942 to the late Walter H. and Ruth A. (Weiss) Disbennett. Gene was a 1960 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and considered a dominate outside shooting threat for their basketball team. Following high school, Gene proudly served for a three-year period in the Army Reserves and on December 23, 1967 married his high school sweetheart, Patricia C. Loy, who survives.

Gene spent 35 years working as a machine attendant for a local bearing factory and retired in April of 2000. During his work years, he enrolled at Bowling Green State University and following his work shift, would drive to attend classes. He proudly earned both his B.S. in Education (1980) and his M.Ed. Guidance and Counseling (1985). Gene was a longtime owner and manager of rental properties and served as past president of the Area Landlords Association.

Gene had a passion for working with area youth and he did this through many different avenues. He served as a substitute teacher for area county schools; coached 8th-9th grade basketball for two seasons; coached Gra-Y Basketball for 20 years and umpired Little League baseball for six years.

He shared many cookouts and holiday gatherings with his family and loved time spent at their “mini farm” where he would fish, feed the birds and other creatures or tinker with things in his barn. He loved cars and along with the help of his son-in-law, restored a 1956 Chevy Bel Air. He enjoyed going on drives around town and out on country roads and was often seen in his old blue or red Chevy truck with a ball cap on his head. He enjoyed watching harness racing, had quite the mesh ballcap collection and for relaxation, could be found in front of the TV watching Gunsmoke. Gene was a member of Moose Lodge 669, where he enjoyed playing cards and AmVets Post 27.

In addition to Pat, his wife of 55 years, Gene is survived by children, Shelli (David) Franklin and Chad Disbennett; grandchildren, Alexa Franklin and Wyatt Franklin; siblings, Allen Disbennett, Timothy Disbennett, Shirley (John) Kalb and Marilyn Pargeon as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Disbennett Jr.; sisters-in-law, Maize and Brenda Disbennett and a brother-in-law, Robert Pargeon.

A memorial graveside funeral will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 28 at Oakwood Cemetery with Pastor Bill Wert officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail.

If desired, donations can be made payable to a charity of the donor’s choice and will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.