Gene R. Schaaf

Gene R. Schaaf, 91, of Bellevue passed away unexpectedly early Thursday at the Bellevue Hospital.  He was born July 19, 1926 in Attica, Ohio the son of Orval and Edith (Utz) Schaaf.  He married Bonnie Orwig on July 15, 1950 at Fireside Zion U.C.C..

Gene retired from the G.E. Bellevue Lamp Plant in 1985, where he had worked for 41 years.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944 and served in both World War II and Korea.  He was an active member of Zion U.C.C., Fireside where he had served as both Trustee and Deacon.  He has been greeting worshipers at the door with a bulletin and a hug over the past 10 years.  He was a charter member of Thompson Ruritan Club, a member of American Legion Post 46, former board member and volunteer of Bellevue Fish & Loaves Food Pantry, and a long-time volunteer at United Church Home’s Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; 2 sons: Michael (Cindy) Schaaf of Olive Branch, MS, and Tim (Connie) Schaaf of Chagrin Falls, OH; 2 daughters: Patti (Harry Hundley) Mantey of Newport News, VA and Kelly (Tom) Traut of Bakersfield, CA; 5 grandchildren: Jennifer (Clay) Perry, Samantha (Logan) Smith, Alison (Michael) Lum, Joey Traut, and Brian Traut; 4 great grandchildren: Andrew Perry, Allysa Perry, Alex Perry, and Amos Lum;  and a sister, Mary Ellen Phelps.

In addition to his parents, Gene is preceded in death by his brother, Chester Schaaf; twin sister, Janice Gellenbeck; and granddaughter, Mindy Michelle Schaaf.

Friends will be received on Monday, June 11 from 4-7 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.  A memorial service will begin on Wednesday, June 13 at 1 p.m. at Zion United Church of Christ,13525 E. Township Road 178, Bellevue, Ohio.  Burial will follow at Fireside Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Zion United Church of Christ or the United Church Homes-Fairhaven Community, PO Box 1806, Marion, OH 43301-1806

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gene R. Schaaf, please visit our floral store.