Gene Cavins

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mr. Gene Cavins, a native of Du Quoin, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 at his home in Kankakee, Ill. Gene was a 1950 graduate of DTHS. He was an Indian Football player.

Gene and Barbara Smith of Du Quoin were married in January 1951. They had two daughters, Deborah (Debbie) and Denise, both of the Kankakee area.

Gene was an employee of A.O. Smith for 28 years and served as the Director of Emergency Management for 11 years.

Gene was well known throughout northern Illinois as a soloist in his church and also for the "Crazy Horse" musical group. This group worked tirelessly, performing throughout a wide area spanning northern Illinois and eastern Indiana with all proceeds going to the Aroma Park Methodist Church. Gene was also a member of the "Something Special Singers," giving concerts throughout the area for many years. He was also in a "Seniors Band" from its beginning until his health prevented him from participating. He was a soloist, drummer and guitarist for the band.

Gene had suffered many years from Multiple Sclerosis and four years from prostate cancer. He leaves many friends and a large family to mourn his passing. Along with his daughters and spouse, he leaves five grandchildren and four great-grandchilden, all of the Kankakee area. He is also survived by brothers, Phil Cavins and wife of Dover, Del. and Roger Cavins and wife of Crete, Ill.; sister, Lois Morton Schneider of Pinckneyville and all the nieces and nephews. Local relatives include Charles Smith and family, Teresa Zoller and family and Loretta Barrett and family.

Funeral visitation was Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the funeral at 2 p.m., all in the Aroma Park Methodist Church.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Aroma Park Methodist Church, Aroma Park, IL 60910.

The definition of a loving father, grandpa and great-grandpa, uncle and absolutely devoted and loving husband with a voice made in heaven was Gene Cavins.