Gene Hull, 76 of Hope died Friday, May 7, 2010 at 4:00 pm at IU Hospital surrounded by family and friends.
Gene was born October 15, 1933, the second son and third child of Frank S. Hull and Mary Louise Woehler Hull. On July 25, 1959, he married Lenora Andrews in Guilford, Indiana and they celebrated 50 years of marriage last summer with a family gathering. He enjoyed a successful career in sales with Keebler and Nestle USA and, even in retirement, he continued to make the rounds of his grocery stores almost every day to visit with old friends. As a young man, he served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany.
Gene is a child of God saved by faith in Jesus Christ. He was a third generationmember of Hope First Baptist Church in Hope, IN where he served as a trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. In the past few years, he had found a new church home and family at St. George's Lutheran Church in Edinburgh, IN.
People and food were Gene's passions. He never met a stranger and he loved nothing more than to cook a pot of chili or vegetable soup and share it with Lenora and their friends around the kitchen table. He had an incredible memory for faces, names and dates. His grandchildren were the light of his world.
Survivors include his wife, Lenora Andrews Hull; three children, Cindy Rutan (Floyd) of Brentwood, TN, Jennie Smith (Charlie) of Singapore, and Frank Hull of Covington, KY. Grandchildren are Jarrod Rutan (Kristy) of Columbus, IN, Adam Rutan of Chicago, IL, Jessica Hendricks (Joshua) and Kate Smith, all of Scottsdale, AZ and Joey and Trevor Hull of Erlanger, KY. Great- grandchildren are Tori and Logan Pace of Columbus, IN and Emma Hull of Erlanger, KY. He is also survived by his brothers, Tom Hull (Rita) of Hope, IN and Bernard Hull (Monika) of Columbua, IN, as well as many other beloved family members and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joyce Hull Dodd.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday May 11, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Norman Funeral Home in Hope, IN. The funeral service will be at 11:00 am at Hope First Baptist Church in Hope, IN with Pastor Tim Tallent officiating. Visiting will precede service beginning at 9 a.m.
Gene lived Christ's command to "feed my sheep" and fed all those who knew him in many ways- their bodies with food, their spirits with laughter, and their souls with love. For those who wish to remember Gene in some way, the fa,ily asks that they too feed the hungry in whatever manner they deem appropriate and whenever they find opportunity.