Albert Eugene “Gene” Lisenbey passed peacefully early Friday evening, January 19th, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois with family at his side.
Gene was born September 13th, 1937 to Audy and Ella (Heflin) Lisenbey and was raised on a farm near Kell, Illinois. He began school at Charter Oak, a one-room schoolhouse. Gene was ornery in his youth often telling his teacher he was unable to attend because the creek was too high to cross. He later attended Kell Grade School and graduated from Salem Community High School in 1956.
While cruising the square during his teen years, he met the love of his life, Peggy Sursa. They were married on May 23rd, 1958, and shared 58 happy years together until Peggy’s passing in 2016. During that time, Gene and Peggy resided in Mt. Vernon for several years and raised a son, Steve Lisenbey. They moved back to Gene’s family farm and built a beautiful log home. Gene worked at the Vernon’s Stove Foundry (30 yrs) and later at Vernon’s Reproductions. He retired from Smith’s Machine Shop in Xenia in 1997, but continued to farm and was road commissioner for Haines Township in Marion County from 2013 to 2017, to age 80.
Gene loved staying busy on his beautiful farm. He enjoyed smoking his pipe or a good cigar. He liked to spend time with his best friends while vacationing, taking day trips, or enjoying Sunday suppers.
Gene was gentle and kind but could be tough when necessary. His funny antics made for great stories that his best friend enjoyed retelling. He was hard-working, respected, and greatly loved. Gene will be deeply missed.
Gene is survived by a son, Steve Lisenbey; brother, Jim Lisenbey; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor; and his wife Peggy.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 26th, 2024 at 1:00 pm at L. R. Osborn and Son Funeral Home in Kell, Illinois, which is honored to be of service to the Lisenbey family. A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 am till the time of service with interment to follow at Panther Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gene’s honor to the Panther Fork Cemetery.
