Eugene J. Kirchner

KIRCHNER, EUGENE J., 83, of Louisville, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at Baptist Hospital East, embracing the love of a family who cherished him so deeply. Gene takes his place in heaven with, Pearl, his wife of 58 years, who he missed so much in the past two years. Gene was born January 3, 1928, in Louisville, attended St. Brigid grade school and graduated from St. Xavier High School. He served in the Navy at the end of World War II before returning to attend U of L and going to work for the Courier-Journal Circulation department in 1948. For 39 years, Gene managed paper carriers throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. It was common in his later years for Gene to meet a doctor or businessman who had carried papers for him and said he was the nicest boss ever. After retiring from the C-J, Gene decided to work part time for his friend Leon at Able Insurance Co., but still took time to travel the country with Pearl. He retired for good in 2005 to help care for her, later visiting her daily in the nursing home.As his eyesight began to fail him, Gene had many great neighbors, friends and relatives who helped take care of the house and took him to dinner, the theater and other events and appointments. Over the years, Gene also enjoyed bowling -- actually proud that his wife and kids usually beat him -- as well as fishing, movies, reading the paper every day and playing pinochle at large family gatherings. He truly enjoyed making $2 bets at Churchill Downs, picking family members' names or whatever sounded lucky that day. Throughout his life, Gene remained devoted to his Catholic roots, never missing Mass and faithfully keeping Holy cards and statues around his home. His mail each day had a dozen requests from missions and charities that he donated to on a rotating basis. He was a meticulous planner, thinker and well-informed individual. Gene's passing will leave the world a little less patient and a little less kind. He was a generous and gentle man who always put others' feelings ahead of his own. He was a dear friend and a sweet father. He also was preceded in death by his parents, Justina and Edward Kirchner; a brother, Edward "Bud"; and sister, Dorothy Baumgarten. He is survived by four children, Linda Ulanday (Joe) of Lexington, James (Beverly) and Stephen (Betty), both of Louisville, and David, of Birmingham, AL, and Kabul, Afghanistan; two sisters, Evelyn Keller and Justina Baker (Robert); and one brother, Robert (Linda), all of Louisville. He has four beloved grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3509 Taylor Blvd., with entombment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-8 p.m. Sunday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the American Cancer Society or one's favorite charity. Online condolences to www.owenfuneral home.com