Gene Edward Rowe, 90 of Plymouth, Indiana and formerly of the Argos community passed away on October 30, 2023, at 4:04 p.m. at Miller's Merry Manor, Plymouth, Indiana.
He was born on June 8, 1933, at Cassopolis, Michigan, to George and Minnie Belle (Emmons) Rowe. He was the second of four sons. Gene was a 1951 graduate of Argos High School.
He was married to Patty O’Dell on June 14, 1952. She survives, with two daughters, Rebecca Rowe and Sharon Phillips, both of Plymouth; and three sons, Rodney (Kristin) Rowe of Vonore, Tennessee, Steven (Cindy) Rowe of Navarre, Florida, and Tracy Rowe of Barberton, Ohio. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Jaime (Luke) Bradley, Jaci (Seth) McIntire, Jamie Phillips, Ginger (Blaine) Hurt, Justin (Katie) Phillips, Joshua (Dani Gentile) Phillips, Rachel (Robert) Watts, Eric Rowe, Charlene (Grayson) Miller, Daniel (Nicole) Rowe, Erica (Nick) Davis, Scott (April) Rowe; and 23 great-grandchildren. His beloved wife, Patty, and Gene’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life.
Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Minnie Belle Rowe; brothers, Bud, Jack and Richard Rowe; and a granddaughter, Andrea Rowe.
Gene had many careers over his years, including farming, liquid fertilizer sales, auto sales, and life insurance sales. He was a machinist at McGill’s in Culver before operating an automatic screw machine at Bendix in South Bend. He later turned his hobby of beekeeping into a profitable, full-time job. Gene was a hard-working employee and strived for perfection in everything he did throughout his life.
Gene and Patty raised their family in Bourbon and Argos, Indiana. They moved to Miller’s Assisted Living two years ago from their home in Argos at 208 Broadway.
Gene loved children and served on the Board of Child Evangelism Fellowship. He and Patty hosted 5-Day Clubs in their home for children of Argos during the summer months for several years. Gene and Patty were members of the Argos Congregational Christian Church (Argos Bible Church after name change) where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for several years, and later served as a Deacon until the church merged with the Argos Wesleyan Church to become Argos Parkside Church. Whenever there was a need at the church, he was always willing to serve, including constructing beautiful oak pulpits from discarded doors.
Gene also played the trumpet in the Marshall County Church Orchestra.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, November 6, 2023, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos, Indiana. Funeral Services will be held on November 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Steve Wilhelm. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos, Indiana.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Child Evangelism Fellowship, 14655 Indiana 120, Bristol, Indiana 46507 or Bee Keepers Association, 100 S. Main St., Middlebury, Indiana 46540.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos, Indiana
