June 29, 2017 at 5:15 p.m.
Gene Champ
Nov. 7, 1922-June 27, 2017
Gene Dawson Champ, 94, Ridgeville, died Tuesday at St. Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester.
Born in Powers Station to Ralph and Lucille (Claycomb) Champ, he married Elsie Blunk on June 18, 1960, and she preceded him in death.
A veteran of the United States Army, he served as a Cpl. during World War II and earned the American Theater Medal, EMAE Theater Medal, five Battle Stars and the WW II Victory Medal.
He retired from GTE, was a baker at Aunt Molly’s Bakery in Redkey, a founding member of Ridgeville American Legion Post and was a former minor league baseball player and umpire.
Surviving are a daughter, Bonnie Weatherhead (husband: Bob), Ridgeville; eight sons, Rodney Gant, Winchester, Mike Champ (wife: Robin), Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, John Champ, Arizona, Jeff Champ (wife: Beth), Ridgeville, Jerry Gant (wife: Lisa), El Cajor, California, Tony Gant (wife: Vickie), Winchester, Sam Champ, Ridgeville, and Jim Champ (wife: Ashleigh), Randolph; two sisters, Joyce Fuller, Redkey, and Sandra Kennedy, Fort Wayne; a brother, Royce “Sonny” Champ, Redkey; 28 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at MJS Mortuaries-Ridgeville Chapel, with Pastor Jonathan Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville with military graveside rites conducted by Ridgeville American Legion and Randolph County Veterans.
Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home.
Born in Powers Station to Ralph and Lucille (Claycomb) Champ, he married Elsie Blunk on June 18, 1960, and she preceded him in death.
A veteran of the United States Army, he served as a Cpl. during World War II and earned the American Theater Medal, EMAE Theater Medal, five Battle Stars and the WW II Victory Medal.
He retired from GTE, was a baker at Aunt Molly’s Bakery in Redkey, a founding member of Ridgeville American Legion Post and was a former minor league baseball player and umpire.
Surviving are a daughter, Bonnie Weatherhead (husband: Bob), Ridgeville; eight sons, Rodney Gant, Winchester, Mike Champ (wife: Robin), Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, John Champ, Arizona, Jeff Champ (wife: Beth), Ridgeville, Jerry Gant (wife: Lisa), El Cajor, California, Tony Gant (wife: Vickie), Winchester, Sam Champ, Ridgeville, and Jim Champ (wife: Ashleigh), Randolph; two sisters, Joyce Fuller, Redkey, and Sandra Kennedy, Fort Wayne; a brother, Royce “Sonny” Champ, Redkey; 28 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at MJS Mortuaries-Ridgeville Chapel, with Pastor Jonathan Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville with military graveside rites conducted by Ridgeville American Legion and Randolph County Veterans.
Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home.
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