D. Eugene Massey
Born: June 27th, 1927
Died: December 24th, 2011
Obituary
D. Eugene "Gene" Massey, 84, of Burlington, died 11:30 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2011 at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.Born June 27, 1927 in Burlington, he was the son of William and Flossie (Walker) Massey. He married Marian Behne on April 24, 1945 in Burlington; she died April 29, 1999.Gene was a 1944 graduate of Burlington High School. He was a member of First United Church of Christ, Moose Lodge #579, Local Iron Workers, and was a Master Mason. As a young man he worked in chicken hatcheries in Fort Madison and Morning Sun. In the 1950's he worked at I.A.A.P, in the 1960's he worked for Northrup's, and in the 1970's he worked as an ironworker. He began working at the Des Moines County Road's Department in 1983, retiring after seven years in 1989. During the last two years of his wife's life, he was at her side, taking care of her day to day. He was an excellent carpenter and loved to build things in the garage. He was known to be a "kidder". He enjoyed going to the Moose Lodge and Big Muddy's, attending family dinners and boating. He loved being the center of his "harem" and spending time with his grandson. He is survived by two daughters; Pam (Joe) Vorwerk of Mesquite, TX and Stacey (Randy) Wachter of Burlington; a son-in-law, Rich Miller of West Burlington; six granddaughters, Shelly Vorwerk, Jani Tulle, Jamie Adam, Mandy Steele, Megan Miller and Rachel Wachter; one grandson, Andrew Wachter; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Ann Manning of Burlington and Vivian Staats of rural Wapello. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter Deborah Miller and two brothers, Junior and George. The memorial funeral service for Mr. Massey will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 3rd at First United Church of Christ. The Rev. JudyAnn Morse will officiate. A private family inurnment will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday, January 2nd in Lunning Chapel with Masonic Rites to be held at 6:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the Masonic Rites until 8:30 p.m. Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice and First United Church of Christ. According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded.