April 6, 1923 -- June 8, 2004

Pinkney Eugene "Gene" Carter, 81, of Glen Oak Lane, Granger, Ind., died following an illness at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, in the Healthwin Specialized Care Center.

Mr. Carter was born April 6, 1923, in Mishawaka, Ind., to the late William L. and Mary E. (Quier) Carter, and was a lifetime area resident. On April 8, 1944, he married Norma J. Cook, who preceded him in death on May 16, 1970. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Pawlak; a brother, William Carter; and by three granddaughters, Karmin R. Carter, Patricia Renée Hopson and Ellen J. Hatfield.

On March 11, 1989, in South Bend, Ind., he married Verna Laughman, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Janis K. (Caspar) Slisz of Mishawaka, Kay (Wayne) Terwilliger of Farmington Hills, Mich., Paula Hopson of South Bend and Tabatha Schultz of Pelzer, S.C.; five sons, Dennis E. (Judy) Carter of Lawton, Mich., William J. Carter and Bruce A. Carter, both of Mishawaka, Kevin L. (Carol) Carter of Granger, Ind., and Roger (Nancy) Schultz of Avon, Ind.; 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; eight sisters, Iris Butler of South Bend, Jacquie Love, Verna Loeffler, Elnora Bryan, Mary (Paul) Geans and Zelda (Russell) Rogers, all of Mishawaka, Elizabeth (Charles) McIntyre of Decatur, Mich., Marcia (Darwyn) Suran of Dowagiac, Mich.; and three brothers, George (Grace) Carter and Walter (Shirley) Carter, both of Osceola, Ind., and Clinton "Nick" (Vicki) Carter of Gardnerville, Nev.

Gene retired from Uniroyal in the early 1980s as a churn operator in the cement room. He then was employed by Masterson Wholesale until 2002. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a very active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and served as an usher and greeter among other activities. He was an avid bowler and was a member of the Twin City Fraternal Bowling League. He loved all sports and especially Notre Dame sports.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 14, in the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend, with Rev. David Morrow of the First Presbyterian Church of South Bend officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 13, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison Road, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46628.