E. Tovey
E. Tovey
November 26, 1929 ~ June 22, 2012
Gene E. Tovey, 82, of Crescent Way, died at 6:09 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2012, at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Gene graduated from Columbus High School in 1947 then attended Butler University and Manchester College. He was in the Air National Guard and was activated to active duty Air Force during the Korean War.
From 1952 to 1966, Gene traveled with International Shoe Company. He was a partner in Tovey Shoes in Columbus, IN, from 1966 to 1998.
Gene was a community activist. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the original board of the first Commons Mall and was on the board of directors for the Visitors Center. He regularly attended the Club 55 Wednesday morning group and was treasurer of the Columbus Antique Club. He was current director and president of the Nugent Foundation and was a member, deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church.
To Gene, family was always first. He enjoyed photography, golf, gardening, art, Mac computers and discussing politics.
Born Nov. 26, 1929, in Columbus, Indiana, at home, Gene was the son of Omer W. Tovey and Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey. He married Patricia (Everroad) Tovey Oct. 28, 1951. She survives.
Other survivors include sons, Mark (Julie) Tovey, Columbus, IN, and Kent (Brenda) Tovey, Overland Park, KS; daughters, Pamela (Doug) Hollenbeck, Columbus, IN, Lynda (Duane) Barkes, Columbus, IN, and Natalie (Jim) Carpenter, Seymour, IN; grandchildren, Alyson (Jason) Neff, Jayson (Katrina) Tovey, Nicole (Joel) Hubartt, Curtis Barkes, Hannah (Andrew Allman) Carpenter, Breanna (Marc) Montreuil, Isaac (Emily) Barkes, Alyssa Tovey and Ben Carpenter; 9 1/2 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Sandy) Tovey, Greenwood, IN; a sister, Nadine Thornton, Medinah, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Omer W. Tovey; his mother, Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey; and a brother-in-law, Tom Thornton.
FUNERAL: 11:11 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Justin White officiating.
VISITATION: 1:01 to 5:05 p.m. Sunday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 10:10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church.
BURIAL: Burial with military rites will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 531 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201, or Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
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November 26, 1929 ~ June 22, 2012
Gene E. Tovey, 82, of Crescent Way, died at 6:09 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2012, at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Gene graduated from Columbus High School in 1947 then attended Butler University and Manchester College. He was in the Air National Guard and was activated to active duty Air Force during the Korean War. From 1952 to 1966, Gene traveled with International Shoe Company. He was a partner in Tovey Shoes in Columbus, IN, from 1966 to 1998. Gene was a community activist. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the original board of the first Commons Mall and was on the board of directors for the Visitors Center. He regularly attended the Club 55 Wednesday morning group and was treasurer of the Columbus Antique Club. He was current director and president of the Nugent Foundation and was a member, deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church. To Gene, family was always first. He enjoyed photography, golf, gardening, art, Mac computers and discussing politics. Born Nov. 26, 1929, in Columbus, Indiana, at home, Gene was the son of Omer W. Tovey and Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey. He married Patricia (Everroad) Tovey Oct. 28, 1951. She survives. Other survivors include sons, Mark (Julie) Tovey, Columbus, IN, and Kent (Brenda) Tovey, Overland Park, KS; daughters, Pamela (Doug) Hollenbeck, Columbus, IN, Lynda (Duane) Barkes, Columbus, IN, and Natalie (Jim) Carpenter, Seymour, IN; grandchildren, Alyson (Jason) Neff, Jayson (Katrina) Tovey, Nicole (Joel) Hubartt, Curtis Barkes, Hannah (Andrew Allman) Carpenter, Breanna (Marc) Montreuil, Isaac (Emily) Barkes, Alyssa Tovey and Ben Carpenter; 9 1/2 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Sandy) Tovey, Greenwood, IN; a sister, Nadine Thornton, Medinah, IL; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Omer W. Tovey; his mother, Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey; and a brother-in-law, Tom Thornton. FUNERAL: 11:11 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Justin White officiating. VISITATION: 1:01 to 5:05 p.m. Sunday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 10:10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. BURIAL: Burial with military rites will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 531 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201, or Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
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Pam and family, So sorry to hear about Mr. Tovey. Will always have fond memories of him the shop, and Corky when I was small. God bless and keep you allCW
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during the difficult time. Your Dad was a wonderful, wonderful man. Fond memories of him making my new shoes smell even better (because he had to glue and insert in them for my arches) from my childhood to adult at First Christian Church. A wonderful and kind Christian man. My Mother and many others have greeted him warmly into heaven. “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” A life to be remembered and cherished. Love and Hugs to all of you. Mary
sorry for your loss our prayers are with you Pam and Doug what a great sweet and funny man he’ll really keep them hopping in heaven
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with all of the Tovey family at this time. Gene has been a long time “member” of the Parker family and we will miss him dearly. We have so many happy memories growing up with Gene and Tovey shoes and with the Tovey family. He always put a smile on my face. I know that my mom and dad are welcoming him home to Heaven. May the happy times and memories ease the pain of separation and know that you all will be together again one day as God has promised… Much love to you all. Sandy, Angie and Jon
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Good Old Mr Tovey! I spent lots of time at the Tovey household,with his daughter Natalie growing up. Fond memories of Corky the parrot at the store and how cool it was that you all had so much soda pop in the breezeway. Love to all the Toveys
Pam, so sorry to read of your Father’s passing. Our thoughs and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Bill and Connie Schroeder
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our condolences to the entire Tovey family. A great loss for the family, and the entire community! Gene was a community treasure that we will be missed by all. Eternal rest to by Brother Delt.
I am thinking of you Pat, and all your wonderful kids, in-law kids, grand kids and great grands. You were truly blessed to have Gene in your life. What a great man, husband, father and most of all Christian. Once you met Gene, you would never forget his sweet smile, the twinkle in his eyes and his sweet spirit. I know you have so many wonderful memories of the great life you had with him.
my sympathy to the family of Gene– I knew Gene many years and good friends of Gene and Pat. He will be missed. Gene and I grew up in the same neighborhood in our H. S. years.
Dear Pat and Family; Please accept my sympathy and prayers for you at the loss of such a special man. I been in Chicago since Friday morning and returned this afternoon. (Monday) Sorry I missed the services. He was very dear to both John and me. Love, Eve Henry
My deepest sympathy for the Tovey family. Great friends and neighbors. I am so sorry for your loss, Mr. Tovey was a wonderful man.
Pat, Pam, Linda, Natalie, Mark and Kent. I am so sorry that I was unable to attend the services this week for Gene. The Parkers have treasured their friendship with the Tovey’s for years and years. I can just see Mom and Dad and Gene together and having a ball in heaven. I’m sending lots of love and prayers to you all. I’m so very sorry for your loss.