Gene R. Wall

Gene had served honorably in the USMC and US Army during the Korean War,

(1951-1954) for which he received a Bronze Star. As recently as 2000, he received a Letter of Appreciation and Korean War Service Medal from Kim Dae-jung, President of S. Korea on the 50th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. He was also a Life Member of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association.

On October 8, 1954 he married Kay June Fry, the love of his life, on Maple Street in Caseyville, IL at his sister Joan and her husband, Herman’s home.

In 1960 he was baptized at St. John’s United Church of Christ on Pleasant Lane, Caseyville, IL when he and his wife Kay, publicly confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

He had been a livestock trader at the National Stockyards in National City, IL, owned a grain elevator in Belleville, IL, and owned a salvage company responding to railroad derailments for the GMNO & ICG railroads. He was an entrepreneur operating several businesses in the St. Louis Metro area including a bakery in Caseyville, IL, a vending company in St. Louis, a meat packing company in National City, IL, a wholesale grocery in East Alton, IL and others of varying success throughout his life. He retired in 2005 from Highland Supply Corporation.

Gene loved jazz music and the Big Bands. Upon his return from Korea, he was afforded the opportunity to spend an evening at “Birdland” in New York City and listen to the infamous Charlie “Bird” Parker play his saxophone.

Gene was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kay (1983) June, nee Fry, Wall; a daughter, Kimberly (2002) Rae Wall; an infant son, Gene (1960) Christopher Wall; his parents, Ray (1974) and Margaret (1982) Wall; a sister, Joan (2008) Rae (Wall) Fulford; his grandfather, Chester Pyrant Wall (1939); grandmother, Della nee Philips, Wall – who raised him (1954) and his great-grandparents James Milton and Millie (James) Wall (1928) of Faith, MO.

Surviving are his daughter, Janice (Rick Rieckenberg) Wall, of O’Fallon, Illinois; two sons, Timothy (Bonnie) Wall, of Mascoutah, Illinois and Douglas (Amanda) Wall, of Madison, Wisconsin; his grandchildren, Joshua (Brooke), Zachary, Jonathan, Angela (Josh), Sarah, Joseph, Stacy Rae (Billy), Amy (Matt), Ashlee, and Timothy, II; four great-grandchildren; and a nephew, John (Jamie) Snapat.

Memorials are appreciated to the New Life Evangelistic Center, 1411 Locust Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103, the homeless shelter and ministry that Gene supported the last 30 years and sat on the Board from 2002-2005.

A favored verse found underlined in his bible reads, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young and now am old: Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed.” Psalm 37:23-26

Upon Gene’s wishes cremation is to be held. Inurnment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Garden of the Good Shepherd, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com