Gene Selvey

A Celebration of Life has been scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the KC Hall in Morton.

MORTON – Gene J. Selvey, 86, of Morton, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 19, 2021, at his home with his wife at his side.

He was born on September 8, 1934 in Eureka, Ill., to Ocie and Mary (Meister) Selvey. He married Ethel Hopkins in Washington, Ill., on June 10, 1961.

Surviving are his wife, Ethel Selvey of Morton; two children, MaryAnn (James) Bauman and Steven J. (Julie) Selvey, both of Morton; five grandchildren, Jacob (Naomi) Bauman of Tremont, and Justin (Jolene) Bauman, Melinda Bauman, Patrick Selvey, and Claire “CJ” Selvey, all of Morton; five great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and six sisters.

Gene was a US Navy veteran, having served as a Navy Radio Operator in Sasebo, Japan on the USS Jason during the Korean War.

He owned and operated Gene’s Barber Shop, located in the Field Shopping Center in Morton, for 41 years.

Gene was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved taking his grandchildren on vacations to Colorado.

Gene was a musician and enjoyed playing music at his church, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, where he was a member since 1961. He also was a member of and played with Metamora Municipal Band, Central Illinois Banjo Club, and Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF), where he played the standup bass for 46 years.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, with Msgr. Gerald Ward officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to the service at the church. Burial of cremated remains will be at Hirstein Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton or Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF).

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.