Gene Fagan, 88, passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at Arden Courts in Geneva. He was born Oct. 9, 1923, in DeKalb, Ill., the son of the late George and Irene (nee Daae) Fagan. Gene graduated from DeKalb High School and then joined the Army to serve in World War II. During his service, he trained with the 82nd Airborne Division and was in Company C 325th Glider Infantry Regiment that served in England, France, Holland and Belgium. During the Battle of the Bulge, Gene was injured and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. When he was in the service, he received a letter from Ida May Bannon. Ida was a student at Northern Illinois University and as a sorority assignment she had to write a letter to a serviceman. That serviceman was Gene. When he returned home from the war, the two met and soon married. They were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage. To this union, they were blessed and had two children, Mike and Cathy. Gene's vocation throughout his life was plumbing. His avocation was his family. Gene best like to spend time with his grandchildren and could play store or school for hours on end. He gladly cared for all of his grandchildren. Survivors include his children, Mike (Lila) Fagan of Aurora and Cathy (Jim) Baines of Batavia; grandchildren, Sara (Wes) Baines Stockdale, Mike (Abby) Baines and Emily Fagan; and great-grandchildren, Jamie and Jake Stockdale, and Mathew and Gabby Baines. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Ida May; his brothers, George Jr. and Charles Fagan; and his sister, Charlotte Fagan. Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora. A private family service will be held. Interment with military honors will be in West Batavia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Jefferson Middle School Band Program. For further information, please call 630-897-9291 or visit our website at www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence. 

Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald, Dec. 9 - 12th.