Eugene E. Shepard

Eugene Shepard, age 71, of Marshalltown, passed away on the morning of Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.           Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Grace Church (E-Free) in Marshalltown with Pastor Bob Kosbau officiating. Full military honors will be presented by the combined American Legion and VFW Honor Guard in the Marshalltown area. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 25th at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Phone 641-844-1234.           Born on September 1, 1947, in Marshalltown, he was one of two sons born to Wilbur A. and Edna (Cook) Shepard. He grew up in Beaman and graduated from the BCL High School in 1967. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served our country honorably during the Viet Nam War. His entire career was spent aboard the USS Kittyhawk.           Upon returning stateside, he was employed at Dowden’s Conoco station at the corner of 3rd Ave and State St. in Marshalltown. While there, Willis (the owner) convinced Gene to ask a young nursing student from Minnesota on a date. Well, the rest is history as he and Harriet Swaving were united in marriage on November 10, 1973, at the Beaman United Methodist Church. After this time, Marshalltown was always home.Gene later owned and operated the service station and later worked for Handy/Western Manufacturing before earning the title “Mr. Gene” from all the kids at Rogers and Woodbury schools while working in the custodial department. He also went by a name he received in youth - “Shep.”           Gene was a member of the Grace/E-Free Church and was a proud US Navy Vet. He believed in a strong work ethic and treasured his family.           Left to cherish his memory are Harriet, his loving wife of 45 years; three children: Heidi Abernathy and Lisa J. Shepard, both of Marshalltown and Ryan E. Shepard of Rileyville, VA; grandsons: Jacob Alan Abernathy and Justin Ray Abernathy; his only brother Delbert (Margaret) Shepard of Janesville, IA, and many friends.           In death, Gene rejoined his parents, grandson Joel Ryan Abernathy and nephew Bryce Austin Shepard.