Charles E. “Gene” Steers

Charles Eugene “Gene” Steers , 78, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024 in Shelbyville Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Brother Darrell Best officiating.  Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024 in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery, near Sullivan, IL.  Memorials may be given to Saving Orphaned Animals, Shelbyville, IL.

Gene was born on July 5, 1945 in Clinton, IN, the son of Melvin Eugene and Helen Louise (German) Steers.  He graduated from Danville High School in the Class of 1963.  Gene began working for ESCO in Danville.  He later worked as the nighttime superintendent at International Paper in Shelbyville, IL, retiring in 2001.  He married Lori Fortner on January 23, 2002. Gene enjoyed his grandchildren, dogs and guns.

Gene is survived by his wife, Lori; children, Robyn Carswell (John), Kari Lynch (Lincoln) and Jason Steers all of Shelbyville;  step-children, Erika Okatayan of Shelbyville, IL, Amber Erwin (Chad) of Boody, IL, and Brett Smith of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Karen Collom of Indiana; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Apple (Joel) of Shelbyville, IL, Mary Katherine Carswell of Shelbyville, IL, Savannah Carswell of Austin, TX, Deanna Carswell of Shelbyville, IL, Brayden Lynch of Shelbyville, IL, Brooklyn Lynch of Shelbyville, IL, and Reyna Gaddis, Ronnie Gaddis, Elliott Grace Erwin, and Sawyer Ann Erwin all of Boody, IL;  father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ron and Sandy Fortner of Tower Hill, IL; sisters-in-law, Debbie Lape of Pana, IL, and Haydie Fortner of Tower Hill, IL; and former wife, Linda Steers Megenhardt of Shelbyville.