Gene Corey

Gene Corey was a simple man who liked simple things, but nothing made him happier than being surrounded by those he loved and called family. One would think, with his quiet nature, that he was an unassuming man, but Gene always knew what was going on around him. Evenly reposed and mild mannered, he was always listening. When the timing was just right, he'd throw in one of his clever and often pretentious remarks which at times brought smiles to many. Deeply missed, Gene will be fondly remembered in the hearts of many.

Gene's story began during a defining time in the history of our nation. The very fabric of America was challenged, and from coast to coast, Americans pulled together during World War II in support of the troops. Certainly a time of mixed blessings, the war brought an official end to the Great Depression as wartime production increased, and many women took to the factories. The entertainment world was booming and cast a lighthearted feel to the day, while families were glued to daily war updates. It was during these most uncertain times when Glen and Dorothy (Patrick) Corey found reason to be hopeful. On October 14, 1942, they welcomed the birth of their first child, a healthy baby boy who they lovingly named, Allen Eugene Corey.

Allen Eugene, or Gene as he was always referred, was born in St. Johns, Michigan where his father worked as a timber buyer and his mother remained at home as a homemaker. As a young boy he enjoyed playful times with friends and attended the area schools. He had big shoes to fill, though, as the big brother to his seven younger siblings, Glen "Herb", Jerry, Larry, Judy, Joyce, Dennis, and Randy. Due to his father's work, Gene and his family moved often until his teen years when they settled in the Vicksburg, Michigan area. There he went on to attend and graduate from Vicksburg High School with the Class of 1961.

Shortly following high school, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The Vietnam War was making daily headlines and made for worrisome hearts back home, but Gene was stationed stateside in Rhode Island. His time in the service not only changed his perspective in life, but also made an impact on his heart.

While in the service, a mutual friend introduced Gene to a pretty young woman from New York named, Cynthia Glowaczewski. With mutual attraction, they set-out on a three year dating relationship and fell deeply in love. Upon Gene's honorable discharge, they celebrated vows of marriage as a husband and wife on November 5, 1966 in Pine Island, New York. They began married life together in Vicksburg for a short time where Gene worked in production as a manager.

Before long, Gene and Cynthia began welcoming a family of their own. Over time, they were blessed with three daughters, Karen, Kristine and Diane. With his work raising the children in one place wasn't an option, Gene and Cynthia moved around the country which gave the girls a lot of life experience. They eventually returned "home" to Vicksburg in the late 1980s and Gene began working at Simpson Paper Mill as a boiler engineer.

Unassuming and very quiet, Gene was a man of few words, most of the time. He loved to hunt and fish, and often went target shooting with his guns. For a while he was into metal detecting, and was quite handy when it came to fixing cars and was good at plumbing, too. He was intrigued by antique paper weights, and began collecting them as a hobby. Even with his quiet demeanor, he possessed the knack for being quite the smart aleck, and was really on his toes with some of the greatest comebacks.

Christmastime always held a special place in Gene's heart. He loved anytime and any occasion that brought his family together as he enjoyed being in their midst. It was especially evident when there was food to be eaten! Gene liked food, and when he ate something, he often exclaimed how it was the best he'd ever had. Even though he and Cynthia rarely took the opportunity to take extended vacations, he truly loved going to New York with Cynthia to visit her family.

More than anything in Gene's life, family meant everything to him. There was no greater place he'd rather have been than surrounded by their love. With seven grandchildren and his first great-grandchild on the away, Gene had much to look forward to in the days and years ahead. Sadly, at the age of 69, Allen E. "Gene" Cory, of Portage and formerly of Vicksburg, passed away Monday, February 6, 2012.

His family includes his wife, Cynthia; three daughters: Karen (Jeff) Schaffer of Illinois, Kristine (Jeff) Keiser of Portage, and Diane Verner of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his siblings: Glen “Herb” (Alice) Corey of Union City, Jerry (Susan) Corey of Dowagiac, Larry Corey of Cassopolis, Judy Corey and Joyce Corey, both of Colorado, Dennis Corey and Randy (Jodi) Corey, both of Dowagiac.

Gene's family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 7-9 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697) where his funeral service will be held Thursday, February 9, 2012, 11:00 AM at the same location. Please visit Gene’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his memory book online, leave a memory and share a photo. For those who wish, memorial donation may be directed to the American Cancer Society.