Gene Alfred Leister, 81, of Fort Branch, passed peacefully Saturday November 5, 2016 at his residence.

He was born to the late George and Edith (Smith) Leister on August 12, 1935 in Fort Branch.

Gene graduated from Fort Branch High School. He retired from Whirlpool after 41 years of being a Thermoformer Operator. Gene also liked to farm.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Sharon (Wallace) Leister; Buddy, his beloved dog; his 2 sons, Scott & Tom Leister; 5 daughters, Sherry (Walter) Schmitt, Rita Herron, Angela (David) Bainbridge, Judy Goad, and Shelly (Michael) Ewing; 16 grandchildren, Amanda Wilkerson, Jill (DJ) Wright, Jennifer Lewis, Nathan & Tony Seale, Drew (Amanda) & Michael (Talitha) Bainbridge, Zac Kirk-Hardin, Logan Kirk-Arndell, Owen, Kala, Noah, Sara, & Broc Goad, and Emma & Nico Ewing; 7 great grandchildren, Corbin Wilkerson, Evertt & Mila Wright, Hanah Lewis, Kyrsten Seale, and Cole & Anna Bainbridge; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 5 brothers, Delmar, Earl, Urmal, Paul, and Darby Leister; 2 sisters, Josephine Deal and Jeanette Thompson.

Services will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Holders Funeral Home in Owensville with Bob Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 from 4-8 pm at Holders.