Donald "Gene" Koelliker 82, of Horton, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

He was born on May 26, 1936 in Highland, Kansas the son of John Wesley and Nellie Fern Beaman Koelliker. After graduating from high school, Gene served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. He then went to work for the Gas Service Company in Kansas City, Missouri as a meter reader working his way up to being a supervisor before retiring after 29 years of service.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Horton and a lifetime member of the Optimist Club. He was a former Piper School board member serving three terms. Gene loved going to sporting events  and keeping up with the area kids accomplishments. On October 29, 1960 he married Patricia Hogue at the First Christian Church in Horton, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Koelliker of the home; son, Michael Koelliker of Horton, Kansas; daughter, Melinda (David) Gee Jr. of Tonganoxie, Kansas; granddaughter, Alexis Nichole (Jesse) Page of Parker, Kansas; brother, Gary (Phyllis) Koelliker of Highland, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Connie Koelliker and Pat Nigus.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Horton, Kansas where the family will greet friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Burial with military graveside rites will be at the Highland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gene Koelliker memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com