Edward Eugene Hamilton

Edward Eugene “Gene” Heilman, age 73, of Hugoton, Kansas died Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at the Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas. He was born February 21, 1942 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Edward Leonard and Ruby Estella (Newton) Heilman.

Gene grew up in the Americus and Emporia area. He attended Emporia High. Gene married Phyllis Kay Young on December 31, 1959 in Emporia. He was a jack-of-all-trades including; grounds keeping, horse breaking, lock smithing, welding, mechanic, and truck driving. Gene enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a lifetime member of H.O.G. He also enjoyed dancing, hunting, trapshooting with family, and getting together with family and friends and jamming to classic country music.

Survivors include three daughters, Noelene Craft of Gage, Oklahoma, Ginger Lee Floyd of Dodge City, Kansas, and Lynnette Hageman and husband Dennis of Hugoton, Kansas; son-in-law, Phillip Norton of Rolla, Kansas; sister, Ella Duncan and husband Frances of Emporia, Kansas; brother-in-law, Harold Odgers of Emporia, Kansas; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis in 2010; infant son, Carl Heilman; daughter, Kaylee Norton; and sister, Hazel Odgers.

Funeral service will be held Friday, July 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Bethel Friends Church in Hugoton, Kansas with Pastor Roy Bogan officiating. Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Fruitland Cemetery in Americus, Kansas. Friends may call Thursday, July 16, 2015 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton. Memorial contributions may be given to the Gene Heilman Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 423 S. Main, Hugoton, KS 67951.