Gene Abbott

GENE ABBOTT

JERSEYVILLE - Herbert Gene Abbott passed away at 8:50pm on December 13th, 2025 at Jerseyville Manor in Jerseyville Il.  He was preceded in death by his parents Lena (Thomas) Abbott and Gilbert Abbott and his sisters Natalie Rickabaugh and Iris Karl.  A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife Patsy Abbott, brother Edgar Abbott, daughter and son in law Tonya (Abbott) Mayer and Jason Mayer, son, daughter in law and grandson Duane Abbott, Amy Abbott and Tye Abbott.

Gene was born and raised in English Township, Jersey County September 2nd 1942. He graduated from Jerseyville High School in 1961. He joined the US Army in 1961 for two years.  After the military Gene returned to Jerseyville Il and began building both a career and a life rooted in family.

He married Patsy Alexander on June 26 1965.  Together they shared 60 years of marriage filled with love, laughter and countless memories. They enjoyed travelling, visiting locations such as Australia, Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands.  

Gene worked at Shell Oil as a machinist for over 30 years and retired early at age 57.  Gene was intelligent and very handy, he designed and built his family house in 1974 where he and Patsy lived for over 40 years.  In the 1980s Gene purchased some land (the farm) near his birthplace.  He spent much of his retirement at the farm, enjoying the outdoors, planting 1800 trees in a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) program, building a pole barn with a clubhouse and hunting with friends and family.

Gene loved his family, hunting and politics.  He spent decades supporting local government and the Democratic party, including years as County Chairman of the party and the Jersey County Housing Authority . He was a generous benefactor, donating regularly to several charities and organizations including The Wounded Warrior Project, Red Cross and American Legion amongst others.  

A celebration of Gene Abbott's life will be planned for Spring 2026.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Riverbend Humane Society or The Wounded Warrior Project in care of Crawford Funeral Home, 1308 State Highway 109, Jerseyville Il 62052 who has been entrusted with arrangements.

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com

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