Eugene P. ‘Gene’ Block, 88, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, with his family by his side. Eugene was born August 9, 1931 in Marathon County, son of the late William and Augusta (Hoehn) Block. He married Donna Neubauer on July 30, 1955. She survives. Gene enlisted in the Army National Guard on August 28, 1950. He was honorably discharged on August 27, 1953.Gene worked as an insurance agent in the Merrill area for over forty years. He took his first job with Fata Voigt Insurance from 1952 until 1957. He then bought out the insurance agency and ran it until 1973. In 1973, he started his own insurance agency, Gene Block Insurance. He was an active insurance agent until his retirement in 1996. Gene was very active in the Merrill community. He served on the board of directors at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery and Habitat for Humanity. Gene also served on the board of directors at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, from 1993 until 1999. He was a former treasurer for the Lincoln County Sports Club and a past president of the Monday Evening Lions and Rotary Club of Merrill. He also served as the president of the Jaycees and helped raise funds for the Stange’s Park outdoor swimming pool. Gene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, and was involved in the Men’s Club and served as their treasurer for many years. He also served for a number of years as the chairman of special funds at church. Gene enjoyed playing tennis and slow-pitch softball, bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing, playing cards and reading. He also enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Block of Merrill; daughters, Debra (Lester) Weber of New Richmond, WI and Vicki Bach of Green Bay; son, Randee Block of Lake DuBay; grandchildren, Julie (Jeff Cluever) Lynch of Minneapolis, Laurie (Bob Fulkerson) Lynch of San Diego, Katie (Miguel Zaragoza) Lynch of Minneapolis, Dustin (Caitlin) Bach of Haslet, TX, Eric (Lauren) Bach of Greensboro, GA, Molly (Sam) Powers of Merrill and Casey (Brandon) Austin of Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Marleyna, Jackson, Alysia, Howard, Owen, Scarlett, Raphael, Airiya, Michael, Jackson, Autumn, Crew, Raegan, Evelyn and Anastacia; and sister-in-law, Doris Neubauer of Merrill. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, William and Augusta Block; siblings, Clarence (Ione) Block, Elroy (Gloria) Block and Betty (Maynard) Neubauer; and brother-in-law, Phillip Neubauer.
The funeral service for Gene will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, September 20, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Adam Rodriguez will officiate. Burial will take place at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill and after 9:30 A.M. Friday at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com