Eugene “Gene” R. Egendoerfer

Eugene “Gene” Robert Egendoerfer passed away peacefully at home on Sunday,  February 11, 2024 to be with his Lord and the love of his life, Winona “Winnie.” He was born Saturday, December  26, 1931 in the family home located at 752 South 36th Street, South Bend, Indiana. He was born to Arthur T. and Bernice Blume Egendoerfer. At the age of 12, the family moved to Mishawaka, Indiana. Eugene graduated from St. Monica Catholic School in 1945 and then further attended Mishawaka High School, graduating in 1949. After high school, he began his apprenticeship to become a Journeyman Electrician, finishing on May 8, 1950. On Saturday, June 3, 1950 he married the love of his life, Winona Rich Egendoerfer. Together, they had six children, three of whom survive, Robert L. Egendoerfer (Sandy) of Mishawaka, Indiana; Kim E. Egendoerfer (Rebecca) of Edwardsburg, Michigan; and Jeanmarie Calbetzor (Steve) of Easley, South Carolina. Also surviving are daughters-in-law, Diane and  Cindy Egendoerfer.

Eugene, his father, and his two brothers pioneered the first scuba diving shop (Aqua Shop) in the Michiana area. Together, they engineered and designed their own scuba equipment. In addition, they instructed the area Fire Departments on the correct underwater Rescue procedures. In 1950, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus and obtained 3rd degree in 1956. He continued on to serve in several officer positions including the faithful comptroller and eventually obtained the 4th degree Knights of Columbus in 1959.

In 1967, he alongside his family, moved to Texas City, Texas. Two years later, he applied and was accepted into the first Permanent Diaconate program of Galveston/ Houston Diocese.

In 1971 the family moved back to the Michiana area, and he was accepted into the first Permanent Diaconate class of Fort Wayne/South Bend diocese. He was ordained as a Permanent Deacon on June 2, 1973. He served his ministry as a Permanent Deacon from 1973-1999 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mishawaka, Indiana.

He retired from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1993 after 43 years of dedicated work. After retirement Gene and Winnie moved to Parrish, Florida in 1998 where he served as a Permanent Deacon at St. Frances X Cabrini Catholic Church. Additionally, Gene and Winnie volunteered in prison ministry in Manatee County, Florida.

In order to be closer to family, Eugene and Winnie moved to South Carolina in 2001 and he proceeded to serve as a Permanent Deacon at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and Holy Cross, in which he retired from in 2014.

Together, Eugene and Winnie had 73 grandchildren – this includes grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Eugene was preceded in death by the love of his life Winnie on February 14, 2013; sons, Andrew Jon Egendoerfer on December 12, 2005, Mark Allen Egendoerfer on January 23, 2023, and Gregory Lee Egendoerfer, on July 28, 2023. He was also preceded by siblings, Arthur Thomas, Donald Richard Egendoerfer, Mary Ann Egendoerfer Pressel, and grandchildren, Christopher Lutzen, Shelley Egendoerfer, and Bane Otis.

There will be a Recitation of the Rosary on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown followed by a time of visitation until 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Easley. For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass, a livestream may be viewed online by visiting: Funeral Mass for Deacon Eugene “Gene” Egendoerfer – YouTube

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