Gene Orville Beitz

Gene Orville Beitz of Gagetown, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 17, 2026, while at Bay View Gardens in Sebewaing. He was born December 12, 1938 in Caro, the son of the late Orville and Emma (Gaeth) Beitz. Gene attended elementary at St. Paul Lutheran School before graduating from Unionville High School with the Class of 1956. Gene proudly served as a member of the National Guard and later remained in the Reserves.

Gene has been a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and his relationship with God has remained a constant throughout every season of his life. This faith has influenced the way he worked, loved, raised his family, and faced both life’s blessings and its hardships. Gene has always carried his faith with him, trusting in God’s plan and finding strength and comfort in knowing that He was beside him every step of the way.

Gene first found love when he met Carol Kuhl. The two were married on November 2, 1963, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville. Together, they raised two children and built a wonderful life centered around family, faith, and hard work. For more than forty years, Gene and Carol shared life side by side until her passing on March 23, 2007.

In time, Gene was blessed to find companionship and love once again when he met Margaret “Penny” Ellen née Drake. On October 19, 2013, the two were married at the Frankenmuth Chapel. Gene and Penny spent nearly thirteen years enjoying life and one another’s company, creating another chapter filled with love and companionship until her unexpected passing on August 8, 2026.

Growing up on a farm taught Gene the meaning of hard work at an early age, and it was something he never strayed far from. Farming remained a lifelong part of who he was, but his strong work ethic also led him beyond the fields. Gene spent just over eleven years working for General Motors in Flint and also for Steering Gear in Saginaw. No matter the job in front of him, Gene was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

Even in his free time, Gene rarely sat idle. He could often be found tinkering away in his shed, always looking for something that needed to be mended, repaired, or made useful again.

Some of his greatest enjoyment, however, came from the time he spent with his family. He loved going on bike rides with his wife and granddaughter, and when his children were young, camping became a favorite family pastime. Those trips became part of the many memories his family would carry with them. As he grew older and life became a little quieter, Gene developed a fascination with television shows, including game shows, the Lawrence Welk Show, and RFD T.V. He also enjoyed listening to Country and Polka music on the radio.

Through each chapter of his life, Gene remained grounded in the things that mattered most to him: his faith, his family, and an honest day’s work. His life was one shaped by devotion, those he loved, and to the responsibilities placed before him.

Left to cherish Gene’s memory are his children, Dale (Connie) Beitz of Lansing, Ann Beitz of Mt. Morris; granddaughter, Mandy of Mt. Morris; two step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; sister, Donna (Carl) Hiser of Caro; and brother-in-law, Mert Hessler of Sachse, Texas; and also many nieces, nephews, and close family friends. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wives, Carol and Penny.

Gene’s funeral service will be on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville with Rev. Steven Stolarczyk officiating. The family will be present to receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Following the service he will be laid to rest at Columbia Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society.