Gene E. Tovey, 82, of Crescent Way, died at 6:09 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2012, at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

Gene graduated from Columbus High School in 1947 then attended Butler University and Manchester College. He was in the Air National Guard and was activated to active duty Air Force during the Korean War.

From 1952 to 1966, Gene traveled with International Shoe Company. He was a partner in Tovey Shoes in Columbus, IN, from 1966 to 1998.

Gene was a community activist. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the original board of the first Commons Mall and was on the board of directors for the Visitors Center. He regularly attended the Club 55 Wednesday morning group and was treasurer of the Columbus Antique Club. He was current director and president of the Nugent Foundation and was a member, deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church.

To Gene, family was always first. He enjoyed photography, golf, gardening, art, Mac computers and discussing politics.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:11 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Justin White officiating. Calling will be from 1:01 to 5:05 p.m. Sunday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 10:10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Burial with military rites will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 531 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201, or Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.

Born Nov. 26, 1929, in Columbus, Indiana, at home, Gene was the son of Omer W. Tovey and Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey. He married Patricia (Everroad) Tovey Oct. 28, 1951. She survives.

Other survivors include sons, Mark (Julie) Tovey, Columbus, IN, and Kent (Brenda) Tovey, Overland Park, KS; daughters, Pamela (Doug) Hollenbeck, Columbus, IN, Lynda (Duane) Barkes, Columbus, IN, and Natalie (Jim) Carpenter, Seymour, IN; grandchildren, Alyson (Jason) Neff, Jayson (Katrina) Tovey, Nicole (Joel) Hubartt, Curtis Barkes, Hannah (Andrew Allman) Carpenter, Breanna (Marc) Montreuil, Isaac (Emily) Barkes, Alyssa Tovey and Ben Carpenter; 9 1/2 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Sandy) Tovey, Greenwood, IN; a sister, Nadine Thornton, Medinah, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Omer W. Tovey; his mother, Elizabeth (Rinehart) Tovey; and a brother-in-law, Tom Thornton.

You may view his video tribute after 1:01 p.m. Sunday, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet.

www.jewellrittman.com