Eugene J. "Red" Billman's Obituary
Eugene J. “Red” Billman, age 84 of Batesville, died Monday, December 2, 2013 at his home. Born May 25, 1929 in Batesville, he is the son of Lena (Nee: Eckstein) and Charles Billman Sr. He married Ruth Weisenbach October 23, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Church in Morris, Indiana. Red served in the army during the Korean War as a medic. He was a member of the Batesville V.F.W. and lifelong member of St. Louis Church. After the service, he would work for the Western Furniture Company, the NYC Railroad, Wilbur Siebert Trucking, the Koester Dairy and Batesville Casket Company. He was the second driver to be hired by the casket company. In 1954 he went to work for the Batesville Telephone Company as a lineman, where he would retire from in 1991 after 37 years. In those 37 years with mergers and acquisitions the phone company went from the Batesville Telephone Company, to the Public Telephone Company, to the Indiana Telephone Company, to Contel and finally GTE. Red was the only employee to work under all five companies and was honored for it with a plaque.Red loved the simple life. An avid gardener, he delighted in sharing his bounty with friends and neighbors. He also loved to fish and liked touring the town with that big catfish in a washtub to show off. Additionally, he enjoyed building birdhouses and bird shelters so he could give them away. He is survived by his wife Ruth; daughters Lynn (Don) Howe of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kay Lohmeier of East Peoria, Illinois; sons Brent Billman of Hamilton, Ohio, Dale (Kristen) Billman of Indianapolis, Indiana, Luke (Melanie) Billman of Brandon, Mississippi and grandchildren Austin, Q. Steven and Cassie Lohmeier, Tyler Howe and Kyle, Kaitlin, Callie and Mathis Billman. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded death by his sister Viola Prickel and brother Charles Billman Jr.Visitation is Monday, December 9th, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Louis Church with Rev. John Geis Officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to the Lil Kennel Scholarship Fund at St. Louis School.
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