Mr. Eugene H. “Gene” Mendez, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at 1:35 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Knox County Nursing Home with his wife Becky by his side.
Gene was born January 8, 1937, in Galesburg, the son of Salvador A. and Guadalupe (Martinez) Mendez. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955 and later from Reedley College in Reedley, California, in 1958.
He married Barbara and from that union had two sons, Mark and Scott. He later married Rebekah Flynn Swanson on March 29, 1985, in Galesburg at the Calvary Assembly of God Church and joined families with her two daughters, Victoria and Corinne.
Gene worked for the City of Galesburg for over 35 years, serving as the street superintendent, retiring May 31, 1993. After retirement, Gene and Becky wintered in Phoenix, Arizona, for 24 winters. Gene enjoyed a round of golf and was a member of the Dew Duster Golf League at Bunker Links Golf Course. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and Boston Red Sox fan or pretty much any sport that involved a ball. Gene enjoyed getting together with friends and family for a competitive game of pitch. He was a man of faith attending the Radiant Worship Church.
Gene is survived by his wife of 40 years, Becky; his two sons, Mark (Carol) Mendez of Miami Beach, Florida, and Scott Mendez of Orlando, Florida; two daughters, Victoria (the late Jeffrey) Strom of Victoria, Illinois, and Corinne (Steve) Nelson of Galesburg; and six grandchildren, Seth (Liz) Strom, Alexandra (Wyatt) Bradshaw, Emma (Chad) Admire, Lynnea Nelson, Delaney Mendez, and Marissa Mendez. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Pansy Mendez, and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Strom.
Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Radiant Worship Center. Funeral services will follow at noon at the church with Pastor Mark Dexter officiating. Memorials may be made to the Radiant Worship Center. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting his family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
