Gene Pinkston

Morris Eugene “Gene” Pinkston, 88, of Bridgman, Michigan went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 8, 2012 in Jordan’s Life Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, July 12, 2012 at Woodland Shores Baptist Church, 3555 Shawnee Road, Bridgman with Reverend Winston Decker officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with full military honors. Friends may meet with the family from 5-8 PM Wednesday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman. Memorial contributions may be given to Woodland Shores Baptist Church.

Gene was born July 20, 1923 in Monette, Arkansas to Homer and Gertrude (Birmingham) Pinkston and was the first born of their six children. He was a veteran of World War II, a corporal in the United States Marines having served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations and Japan. After his service he met and married Rutha Marie East in Lake City, Arkansas on April 24, 1947. One son, Robert (Bob) was born to this union. Gene attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro before moving his family to Bridgman in 1953.

After moving to Bridgman, Gene was employed at Bendix-Allied Signal of St. Joseph where he was a Senior Engineering Laboratory and Quality Control Technician for 25 years, retiring in 1985. He was able to enjoy his retirement years by traveling with his wife, Marie and enjoying photography.

Gene was raised in a Christian home and attended church all his life. He has been a member of Woodland Shores Baptist Church since 1992. In addition to serving the Lord in church, Gene was a friend to all who knew him. He provided an example of a faith based life, honor and service to others and his examples will be remembered by all who knew this kind and gentle man.


Gene is survived by wife -Marie; son - Bob (Carolyn) of Toledo, Ohio; sister -Carlene (nee Pinkston) Bundesman of Bridgman; a brother - LeRoy (Jo) Pinkston of Sawyer and a sister in law - Melba Hocutt of Bridgman; grand-daughter - Abby (Ben) Williamson and their children, Samuel and Lyndi Williamson of Metamora, Ohio, grandsons - Mitchell (Kadey) Pinkston of Columbus, Ohio and Daniel (Gili) Pinkston of Toledo, Ohio; special niece - Anne Kephart and family of Rocklin, California, and a special nephew - Bradley Ginn and family of Littleton, Colorado; step-grandchildren - Jason and Amy and their children, Mackenzie, Jacob and Lauren; Katie and her daughter, Isabelle; Beth and Rusty; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

Gene was preceded in death by parents Homer and Gertrude, infant brothers - Austin and Jimmy, sister - Cathleen (nee Pinkston) Hocutt, dear sisters-in-law Mildred (nee East) Beckett and Hilda (nee East) Ginn and devoted brothers-in-law Carl Bundesman and Mel Hocutt.

Visitation

Wednesday July 11, 2012 , 5 - 8 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Funeral Service

Thursday July 12, 2012 , 11 AM at Woodland Shores Baptist Church

Burial

Thursday July 12, 2012 at Graceland Cemetery