Gene Bock

Gene Richard Bock, 77, of Uniontown passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Perryville.

He was born May 26, 1946, in Cape Girardeau to Elmer Benjamin and Erna Amanda Hemmann Bock. He and Leola R. Renner Bock were married May 24, 1969, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek.

Gene graduated from Perryville High School in 1964. After high school, he worked at J & J Window Co. in Chesterfield. He was then drafted into the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam era. Gene was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, in the motor pool division. Upon being discharged, Gene was employed as a truck driver by Tucker Truck Lines in Cape Girardeau. He later drove for Inman Trucking before finishing his career at Yellow Freight. Gene retired in 1998 and held several part-time jobs to fill his time, including Baer Engineering and Hoff Brothers Inc.

In his free time, Gene loved working on the family farm. In his later years, he could frequently be seen riding around the neighborhood in his Polaris Ranger. He loved his Savior and was brought up Lutheran as a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown. Gene was a proud American and belonged to American Legion Post No. 133 and Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1081. He was a member of Heartland Social Club in Uniontown, and enjoyed all the good times. Gene was also an honorary member of the Red Hat Hattitudes as their chauffeur.

Loving survivors include his wife of 54 years Leola; a son, James (Natalie) Bock of St. Louis; two daughters, Kristi (Mike) Hoff of St. Mary and Michelle (Bruce) House of Perryville; seven grandchildren, Alex (fiancee Kirsten Votava) Gelman, Caitlin Hoff, Abigail Hoff, Connor House, Emma Bock, Caden House and Maya Bock; a sister, Margie (Eddie) Burkart of Hanceville, Alabama; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jerome Renner, Paul and Kathy Renner, Allen and Bonnie Renner, Rita and Donnie Kohlfeld, Sharon Schnurbusch and Pat Renner. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dianna Reisenbichler; four brothers-in-law, Leo Reisenbichler Jr., Gib Renner, Earl Webb and Jim Shrum; and three sisters-in-law, Ann Shrum, Theresa Webb and Ruth Ann Renner.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the church, with the Rev. Paul Winningham officiating. Burial will be at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Uniontown, with military honors provided by the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1081.

Memorial contributions may be given to Grace Lutheran Church or Missouri National Veterans Memorial.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.

Ford & Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.