W. Eugene “Gene” Harbold, 85, of Marysville, died Saturday morning, Nov. 11, 2017, at Memorial Gables following an extended illness.
A former employee of the Marysville Journal-Tribune, he retired after 42 years of service. He was a 1950 graduate of Union Local High School in Milford Center. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, achieved the rank of sergeant and finished his military service by continuing with the Ohio National Guard for seven years.
In his earlier years, he was known as an umpire who officiated slow and fast pitch softball games at an untold number of local, state and national level games. He also worked as an auctioneer at the former Ramey’s Auction near Irwin. A man of faith, he was a longtime member of Marysville First United Methodist Church. He also held a membership and was past president of the Heart of Ohio Fishing Club.
He was born on Oct. 1, 1932, in Union County, to the late Walter L. and Martha L. Longbrake Harbold. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Ann, who died at birth in 1951; and son, Philip L. Harbold, who died April 27, 2010.
He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, the former Shirley A. Caldwell, whom he married on Nov. 18, 1951; children, Timothy L. (Louetta) Harbold of North Lewisburg and Stephen E. (Nancy) Harbold of Woodstock; daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Harbold of Milford Center; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, George (Lola) Harbold and Janet Harbold, both of Marysville, Pete (Barbara) Harbold of Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Sarah E. “Sally” (Mike) Wakefield of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ingram Funeral Home, where the Rev. Denise Turpin will officiate funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will follow at the Milford Center Cemetery with his grandchildren, Mathew Harbold, Benjamin Harbold, David Harbold, Larry Lynch, Aaron Haynes and Travis West, as his pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Union County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.ingramfuneralservice.com.