Gene Houser

Gene N. Houser, 76, Pickerington, died on Monday, October 10, 2011. Gene was born in Pickerington, Ohio on the fourth day of February 1935.

Gene is survived by his loving wife, Polly; children, Valarie Hoffman (Robert) of Stoutsville, Dr. Jeffrey (Kathy) of Colorado, Michael (Robin) of Marysville, and Andrew (Art Stephens) of Columbus; four grandchildren, Stephen Helsel, Alexander (Ashley), Christian (Brynn), and Olivia Hoffman; one step-grandchild, Kyle Miller; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Geiger; and brother-in-law, Leroy Bundy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eula Gierhart and Boivin Houser; daughter-in-law, Hope Houser (Michael); and brother-in-law, Clarence Geiger.

Gene graduated from Pickerington High School with the class of 1952 and from Ohio State University with a degree in agriculture in 1956. He taught at Watkins Memorial, Teays Valley, and retired from Eastland Career Center. Gene held many different positions in his career. He served as F.F.A. advisor for 31 years; as president of the Ohio Vocational Agriculture Teacher’s Association; secretary, vice president, and president of the Ohio Horticulture Teacher’s Association; president of the Teays Valley Classroom Teacher’s Association; and treasurer of the Eastland Classroom Teacher’s Association. He was a proud member of the Fairfield County Board of Education and served 4 years on the Eastland Board of Education. Education for all was his passion. He was a member of the Violet Cemetery Board for 28 years and served as secretary treasurer for most of those years. He was president of the Pickerington Alumni Association and received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He was a life member of the Ohio Retired Teacher’s Association and the Ohio Vocational Agriculture Retired Teacher’s Association. He served as president and historian of the Pickerington Historical Society. He was the first president of the Pickerington Athletic Boosters Association under whose guidance bonds were sold to purchase bleachers. He was made an honorary member of the Teays Valley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for the many years he served as the voice at football and basketball games. He was a member of St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, Baltimore.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, October 21, at St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, 2495 Bickel Church Rd, Baltimore, Ohio 43105 with Pastor Dale Ann Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Violet Cemetery, Pickerington. Friends may visit Thursday, October 20, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home, 207 S Main St, Baltimore, Ohio 43105.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make contributions to Heifer International @ 800-422-0474 in Gene’s name.

Funeral Service

11:00 AM ,Friday, October 21, 2011
St. Michael's United Church of Christ
2495 Bickel Church Road NW Baltimore, OH 43105

Visitation

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM ,Thursday, October 20, 2011
Johnson-Smith Funeral Home
207 S Main St. Baltimore, OH 43105

Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Thursday, October 20, 2011
Johnson-Smith Funeral Home
207 S Main St. Baltimore, OH 43105