Ernest "Ernie" E. "Gene" Myers, 77, of Louisville, Kentucky, formerly of Sac City, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 12, 2022, at the University of Louisville Health Southwest hospital.
Gene was born on November 15, 1945 in Sac City, Iowa, to Ernest and Gail (Weltzheimer) Myers. He was baptized and raised in the First Christian Church. He attended the country school Coon Valley Township #2 until third grade then attended the Sac Community Schools, graduating in 1963. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1963, and became a career Army veteran serving 20 years. He was a combat engineer and served tours in Germany as well as in Viet Nam.
After his military retirement he settled in Radcliff and Louisville, Kentucky, where he met and married Melinda Ashley. He worked with the Army Armor Corps of Engineers during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He also worked construction doing concrete work. He then became a Correctional Officer with the Kentucky State Reformatory, and worked with the Cattlemen’s Association at the Kentucky State Fair for many years. Gene was a life member of the Military Order of the Cootie and of the VFW 1181. He became a model tractor collector and had hundreds of models and even made an amazing miniature farm call Twin Pines Farm. He always enjoyed returning to Iowa and his farm roots and any opportunity to fix or run farm equipment and catch up with his special lifelong friends. He enjoyed time with family and special group of friends called the “Geriatric Club” that hung out at the Hide Out, playing lots of pinochle and cribbage.
“Ernie”, as his wife called him, is survived after 36 ½ years by Melinda, (“Tweetums”), his daughter Susi (“Sugarbear”) Myers; sisters Lois and husband Dale Bunting , Linda and husband Chuck Bettin; brother-in-law Kevin Gaulke, and paternal aunt Elzora Seelinger, 16 nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lo Leta and husband Louis Schulte; sisters Sandy Gaulke and infant sister Judy Myers; nieces Lori Bettin and Mona Tassin and Uncle Larry Seelinger.
Funeral services were held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at the Newcomers Funeral and Cremation Southwest Louisville Chapel in Louisville, KY. A Celebration of Life/Graveside and Committal Service is planned for June 24, 2023, at the Oakland Cemetery in Sac City, IA, with a reception to follow.
Condolences or memorials may be sent to Melinda Myers at 12720 Abbey Road, Louisville, KY, 40272. Memorials may also be given to local VFWs; Ashby Baptist Church at 6617 Ashby Lane, Louisville, KY, 40272, or Gene’s VFW 1181 at 6518 Blevins Gap Road, Louisville, KY, 40272.
