Eugene R. “Gene” Verhamme, age 80, of 8767 North Lakeside T.5 Drive; Rapid River (Maywood Shores) died Monday morning, October 10th, 2005, at home following a brief illness.

Gene was born December 14th, 1924 in Gladstone, the son of Camiel and Mary (Pickard) Verhamme and was raised in Gladstone. After attending All Saints School and graduating Gladstone High School in 1943, he entered military service with the U.S. Army and served with distinction and pride with the 10th Mountain Division in the European Theater during World War II. While serving in a Northern Italy battle campaign, Gene was wounded, along with many others, the same day Senator Bob Dole was wounded in that same campaign with the “10th”. The 10th Mountain Division has carried many memories, both sad and happy, of their days of service to their country and has continued their contacts with one another through numerous visits within the United Sates and Europe. Gene was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1945 after receiving the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star together with other awards and citations.

After his return to Delta County, he married the former Bernadette M. “Buck” Buckland September 21st, 1946 at St. Patrick Church in Escanaba and they resided in Gladstone for 29 years before relocating to “Maywwod Shores” in Ensign Township.

In his early working years, Gene worked for Nick Sigan in woods-work, and later began his long career as an electrician at the Escanaba Paper Company, later renamed Mead, Westvaco, and New Page. He retired in 1986.

Gene was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church of Rapid River and was a former member of All Saints Church. In addition, was a member of the U.P. Chapter of the 10th Mountain Division, the Rapid River American Legion Walter W. Cole Post #301, the Rapid River Lions Club, and the Gladstone Golf Club.

His family remembers him as enjoying going to camp, and his fondness of hunting and fishing, especially with his sons, grandsons and other family members. Gene was very proud of his family and delighted in having them around him. He and his wife have considered theirselves fortunate to have had one another for so many years and have enjoyed traveling together around the world as well as just spending time together at their home in their beloved “Maywood Shores”.    

In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, Bernadette “Buck” Verhamme, Eugene’s survivors include:

2 Sons- Michael (Barbara) Verhamme of Au train, MI; Patrick (Marcia Butler) Verhamme  of Escanaba

1 Daughter- Mary (John Kreutzjens) Singer of Truckee, CA

Also, special young people came into Gene and “Buck’s” life years ago who are considered as children to them and these people consider Gene and “Buck” as a second set of parents in their life as well and they are:

Diane Rudden Carlson of Gladstone; Jimmy (Lorretta) Rudden of Las Vegas, Nevada and Rick (Patrici) Rudden of Escanaba

13 grandchildren, and nieces and nephews

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary “Mickey” Esler.

The family of Eugene R. “Gene” Verhamme will receive friends on Friday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Military Rites will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home by the Rapid River American Legion and representatives of the 10th Mountain Division. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7:00 p.m. at All Saints Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Lawrence Gauthier officiating. Luncheon will follow service in the church parish hall. Burial will be in the Verhamme lot in Fernwood Cemetery; Gladstone. The family respectfully requests memorials may be directed to the Delta County Cancer Alliance. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Verhamme family.