Eugene (Gene) Neil Elleman

Eugene (Gene) Neil Elleman, 80, passed away on Tuesday January 24, 2023 in Hamilton Ohio. He was born on May 8, 1942 (Mother’s Day) in Hamilton, Ohio to Robert A. and Genevieve E. (Dunlap) Elleman. Gene grew up on the family farm outside Eaton, Ohio and proudly showed cattle at the county fair during his youth. He graduated in 1960 from Dixon-Israel High School and remained close friends with several classmates throughout his life. He loyally attended his high school reunions whenever he was able, which he greatly enjoyed.

After high school, Gene attended The Ohio State University, joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and was an active member of Ohio Staters. He earned his B.S. in industrial engineering and also met the love of his life, Fran. After his graduation in 1965, they began their life together in Canton, Ohio where he worked for Timken Roller Bearings. During their time in Canton, they had two sons, Michael Neil (Mike) and Steven Jeffrey (Steve). Timken asked Gene to help manage their plant in Johannesburg, South Africa so the whole family spent three adventurous years there from 1978 to 1981, going on several safaris and travelling internationally.

The family returned to the U.S., moving to Westerville, Ohio. Gene left Timken in 1986, taking a position as a project manager with various subcontractors at NASA Glenn Research Center and Plum Brook Station in Cleveland, Ohio, living in Bay Village, Ohio until he retired to Hamilton in 2008. After retirement, Gene kept himself busy with jobs and volunteer activities such as serving as vice president of the Butler County Ohio State Alumni club, teaching GED classes, serving as a volunteer tax preparer for seniors, and working at a hardware store where he put his lifelong handyman skills to work. Gene loved to travel and maintained an adventurous streak even into retirement, enjoying white water rafting, zip lining and indoor skydiving.

Gene was a religious man throughout his life and was always very involved with his church. In his last years, he enjoyed being part of the Men of Integrity group at Crestview Presbyterian and participating in other Bible studies. He was a lifelong learner and audited classes at Miami University up to his death. Gene was also an active tennis player and enjoyed the comradery and friendships he developed on and off the court. Gene’s other passions included Ohio State football and basketball, keeping an impeccable lawn and garden, and rooting for the Browns, Cavs and Indians/Guardians.

He loved nothing more than spending time with his loving wife and family. Gene maintained a positive and optimistic attitude, even as he battled an uncompromising disease (ALS), at one point writing "If Lou Gehrig was the luckiest man on earth, I surely must be second."

He is survived by his wife Francine (Fran); sons Mike (Barbara), and Steve (Jennifer); and grandchildren Nicholas (Liz), Alyssa, Benjamin, Abigail and Natalie Elleman; siblings Kathryn (Chuck) Wadlington, Carolyn (Phil) Kuhn; and Larry’s wife, Barbara Elleman; sister-in-law Iris (Rabbi Gary) Atkins; nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Lawrence (Larry) Elleman of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Friends and family are welcome to attend the memorial service, followed by a lunch, at Crestview Presbyterian Church on Sunday February 5, 2023 at 12:30 pm (9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069) followed by an interment of ashes at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Ohio.

Arrangements Entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, Ohio.

Memorial contributions can be sent to The ALS Association Central & Southern Ohio Chapter http://webcsoh.alsa.org/ or Crestview Presbyterian Church https://pushpay.com/g/crestviewchurch. Condolences may be sent at www.barnesfuneralhome.com.