Gene Irvin Marks

Gene Irvin Marks, 79, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Gene started his life along the banks of the Little Kanawha River in Sand Fork, West Virginia, born to James T. and Ormeda (Moore) Marks on January 22, 1944. Gene moved to the ancestral farm at an early age. Here he helped his father and brothers clear the land and care for the animals.  After graduating from Sand Fork High School, Gene married his sweetheart, Eula Lee Wright. He attended Glenville State College, studying education. At GSC he demonstrated his artistic abilities through painting and throwing clay pots. Gene moved to Northern Ohio where he worked in construction and raised his family alongside Eula. During his free time, Gene enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie; hunting on the farm, and watching the Browns.  Gene was an honored member of Laborers Local 860. He retired from Great Lakes Construction Company in 2004 with over 30 years of service.  Retirement did not slow down Gene. 

Gene loved traveling the country with Eula, visiting many national parks.  He enjoyed taking the scenic route to catch a glimpse of life in small towns across the country.  At home, Gene enjoyed raising a garden and tending to his orchard and berry patches sharing his bounty with friends and family.  Always thinking about what he could make next Gene filled a plethora of notebooks with ideas. He kept his mind sharp, always thinking of ways to make improvements and in turn designed many useful gadgets. In his retirement, he designed and constructed a second home on his family's farm where he was raised. Gene spent much of his retirement years making memories here with his children and grandchildren.  Gene was happy tinkering in the barn and maintaining the land, even building a zipline for the family to enjoy.  Gene also delved into genealogy spending countless hours learning about his ancestors and sharing his discoveries with family.  He was an avid reader of American history and especially enjoyed studying about Lewis and Clark.  Gene was always ready to share his knowledge and skills with those willing to learn.  His adoring grandchildren will remember the many skills and life lessons they have learned from their grandad. Gene will be remembered as a hardworking, practical, and honest man.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Eula Lee (Wright), children; Christopher, and Lesa (Michael) Marchiando; grandchildren, Zachary, Seth, Mason, and Evelyn Marchiando; brothers-in-law Lloyd Eugene Wright, Leon Kirkpatrick; sisters-in-law, Melba Marks, Delores Wright; and many adoring nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; twin daughters; Baby Girl Marks, and Teresa Ann; brothers, JamesM.  Marks, Robert (Jack) Marks, and Jerry (Max) Marks, and sister Elizabeth Jones; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Tomey, Betty Garton, Freda Kirkpatrick, Ann Cardenuto and brother-in-law Bill Wright.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, beginning at 11:00 in the Global Methodist on Main Church, 28 Main St. Commercial Point, Ohio 43116 with Pastor Brian Dunham officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gene’s name may be made to the church or to Mount. Carmel Hospice Fund.

The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 North Main Street, London, Ohio 43140, where condolences are encouraged to be shared online at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gene Irvin Marks, please visit our floral store.