Earl Eugene “Gene” VanGilder, 59, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (May 6, 2013) at his home under Hospice care.

The son of Earl Lloyd and Mabel Irene (Curwick) VanGilder, he was born July 5, 1953 in Kankakee, Illinois. On December 31, 1988 in Bradley, Illinois, Gene was united in marriage to Tammy Lynn Larsen.

Gene is survived by his wife Tammy of twenty-four years; his mother, Mabel Irene VanGildeer of Kankakee, IL; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sabrina Larsen of Troy, MO; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Everett and Margert VanGilder of Piper City, IL, Fred and Marsha VanGilder of Bradley, IL, Raymond and Sharon VanGilder of Bonfield, IL, and Kevin VanGilder of Kankakee, IL; three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Joyce and Dan Benjamin of Kankakee, IL, Bonnie and Jack Kohn of Manteno, IL, Bonita and Glenn Morton of Wisconsin; one sister-in-law, Debbie VanGilder of Buckingham, IL; and three grandchildren, Shayne Robert Larsen, Gabriel Reece Larsen, and Mason Dale Larsen all of Troy, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; two brothers, Roger and Vernon VanGilder and one sister-in-law, Lorita Larsen.

Gene was employed as a caregiver for Ellendel ISL, and last worked for Richards Used Cars as a salesman. He also loved working on lawn mowers, fishing, and watching wrestling.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 8, 2013) with family receiving friends one hour before in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.