Eugene "Gene" Clinkenbeard

TOGETHER AGAIN-- Eugene ‘Gene’ Clinkenbeard, beloved husband of the late, Helen Clinkenbeard, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2022, at the age of 101. He was born in St Omer, Indiana to the late David and Rosalind Clinkenbeard. 

Gene was a WWII veteran and a war hero.  He was a T4 Technical Sergeant in the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was also the recipient of a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.  Although he was never boastful, he was very proud of his service as was his family.  His smile would light up his face whenever someone would thank him for his service especially those of younger generations.

Shortly after leaving the Army, Gene returned home to marry his sweetheart, Helen Zurcher.  They moved to Wadsworth, Ohio and started a family, raising 3 children.  They lived in Wadsworth the rest of their lives and were lifelong members of the First Christian Church of Wadsworth.

Gene was a pipefitter by trade and retired from the Ohio Boxboard Company in 1984.  One of his pride and joys was gardening.  In his younger days, he would plant vegetable gardens that spanned over a quarter of an acre.  People would come from miles around to find out his gardening secrets, which he gladly shared.  He and Helen loved to travel and drove coast to coast visiting friends and family.  They were also avid card players and loved to spend evenings with friends playing cards as often as possible. After retiring, Gene picked up the hobby of woodworking.  His loved ones will remember getting one of his hand-crafted Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer or his colorful birds gifted to them.

Predeceased by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Helen; and his brother, Harold Clinkenbeard, Gene is survived by his 3 children, Rose Marie (Keith) Goodgion of Colorado, David of Wadsworth, and Robert of Texas. as well as many nieces and nephews who are too numerous to name but who each held a special place in Gene’s heart and who all loved him very much.

The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Autumnwood Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rittman and to Hospice of Western Reserve for the compassionate care they provided during Gene’s final days. 

Services will be held Monday, April 25, 2022, at 12:30 pm at Cox- McNulty Funeral Home, 1376 High St., Wadsworth (one mile north of I-76 on St. Rt. 94). Pastor Matt Stull will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.  Burial at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate in Gene’s memory to the Medina County SPCA, 8790 Guilford Road, Seville, OH 44273 or Hospice of Western Reserve by visiting www.hospicewr.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eugene "Gene" Clinkenbeard, please visit our floral store.