Eugene Francis Stewart

Gene Stewart, age 83 of South Bend, Indiana, passed peacefully with his family at the Raclin House at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka in the early morning hours on the 4th of July, 2023.  He is survived by his two devoted daughters, Julie (Stewart) Jacobs and Ann Marie (Stewart) Byrd.

Gene was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 1st, 1940 to Anna Mae Kuswara and Francis John Socha Stewart.  They resided in Cicero where his mother, Anna, was a seamstress and his father, Frank, worked for the government.  As the years passed, Gene and his mother moved away from the city to the South Bend area, and enjoyed having a large garden filled with vegetables, flowers, small farm animals and playful kittens.  Throughout his life, Gene always loved the companionship of cats in his home.

As a young man, Gene attended Clay High School in South Bend, Indiana, and started training with Western Union, attending classes at both Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana and Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

He met Georgia King in 1963 at Sister Lakes in Michigan where Georgia was dancing with the summer stock theatre and they were married in New Buffalo, Michigan in 1965.

Professionally, he worked for Prudential Insurance in South Bend then started up his own insurance agency, Stewart Insurance, in 1968.  It thrived for over 40 years.

While living in South Bend, he was an active member of St. Joseph Masonic Lodge #45, the Elks Lodge, and Morris Park Country Club.

Gene lived a rich and fulfilling life, and loved sailing, power boating, fishing, snowmobiling, backgammon--but most of all golf and snow skiing.  As a member of Morris Park Country Club, he spent countless hours playing golf and enjoying social events.  After he retired, he also lived in Snowmass, Colorado and was an avid downhill skier and fly fisherman.  Overall, the happiest times of his life were spent enjoying these adventures with his family and his friends.

Gene was very social and was known for his jovial personality and his generosity.  He will be dearly missed by his many friends and family.

The family will be holding a private celebration of life event at the end of July.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Raclin House at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka, Indiana.