George Eugene “Gene” Dycus, age 75, of Centralia, Illinois, peacefully passed away at 7:50 A.M. on Monday, February 5, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, at his home in Centralia, Illinois.
He was born on July 30, 1948, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of George Donald “Don” and Ruth Ida (Faulkner) Dycus.
Gene is survived by his loving family, brother, Roland, Dycus and wife Carol and sister, Donna Dycus, all of Nashville, Illinois; nieces, Melissa Rouse and husband David of Aurora, Colorado, Michelle Dulle and husband Adam of Bartelso, Illinois, Melanie Roethemeyer and husband Doug of Hoyleton, Illinois, and Alisha Long of Odin, Illinois; 7 great-nephews; 2 great-nieces; and many friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, George Donald Dycus and Ruth Ida Dycus; baby brother, Wayne Allan Dycus; maternal grandparents; and paternal grandparents.
Gene was a member and deacon at Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia, Illinois, for 24 years. He was a former member of Demaree United Methodist Church in Centralia, Illinois. He was a board member of the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Illinois and the State of Illinois United Cerebral Palsy organizations. He was a member of the national organization of the ARC and the BCMW Advisory Council. He was an avid reader and a member of the Friends of Library, which inspired him to pursue a degree in Journalism. He was a very thoughtful and giving person as he donated 74 pints of blood through the American Red Cross to assist with the saving of lives. Gene enjoyed sports, especially baseball and basketball. He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Centralia Orphans. During his high school days, he provided statistical data to the local newspaper for the Centralia Holiday Tournament. Gene was a faithful rider of South-Central Transit and enjoyed a meal every Wednesday night at Downtown Lounge. He cherished the time spent with his family and friends, especially his long-time friend and neighbor, Chico McDonal, and his friend and caretaker, Donna Wesling.
Gene retired in 1996 after 15 years of service as a bookkeeper for John Prior Landfill in Centralia, Illinois. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1970 and attended Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois, from 1966 to 1968. He graduated from Centralia Township High School in 1966. Gene lived all of his life in Centralia, Illinois.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia, Illinois with Mr. Anthony Sweeney officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois. Family and friends are invited to visit with Mr. Dycus’ family from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia, Illinois. At Gene’s request, if you so choose to do so, please wear your St. Louis Cardinals shirt, Orphans shirt, or your favorite sports team shirt. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Dycus’ memory to the BCMW-Project B.R.EA.D. in Centralia, Illinois, and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Gene’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
