Victor "Gene" Modugno

MORTON – Victor E. “Gene” Modugno, 81, of Morton, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton. 

He was born on August 12, 1940, in Port Chester, N.Y., to Victor and Martha (Phelps) Modugno. He married Kay Ellen Gentles on June 6, 1965 in Florissant, Mo. 

He is survived by his wife, Kay Modugno of Morton; one daughter, Christine (Michael) Samonds of Grayslake, Ill.; one granddaughter, Alexandra Samonds; two grandsons, Zachary and Mark Samonds; one great-granddaughter, Thalia Rose Samonds; one brother, Joseph (Ann) Modugno of Washington, Mo.; and one sister, Marsha Derenthal of New Hampshire.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Katherine Modugno on October 19, 2015. 

Gene graduated in 1965 from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Engineering. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1975, rising to the rank of Captain.  He worked as a Mechanical Engineer and project manager for Natkin & Co. in Lincoln, Neb. and Peoria, Ill. for 23 years and Illinois Piping Corporation in Peoria, Ill., for 16 years, before retiring in 2006.

He was a member of ASHRAE, the Wilmor Sportsman Club, and faithfully attended Saturday morning Bible study at his church, Morton United Methodist Church, for many years.

Gene was a devoted husband and family man who loved fishing and hunting with his twin brother, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and wintering in Estero, Fla. He loved to entertain and prided himself on his cooking. His out-going personality led him to make friends with everyone he met.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Morton United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Novak officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Full military honors will be accorded after the service. Burial will be at Hirstein Cemetery in a private service at a later time.

Memorials may be made to Morton United Methodist Church Building Fund, 420 N. Tennessee Ave., Morton, IL 61550 or Apostolic Christian Restmor, 1500 Parkside, Morton, IL.

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

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