A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Gene Lee Stevenson, 81, of Heath, will be held at St. Leonard Catholic Church, 11 A.M., Saturday, May 1, 2021, with Rev. G. Michael Gribble as celebrant.  Inurnment will follow in Wilson Cemetery with military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Gene died at his home on Sunday, November 29, 2020.  He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 9, 1939, to the late Oliver and Ellen Stevenson.

A United States Marine Vietnam Veteran, Gene was a 1957 graduate of McKeesport High School and received his Bachelor and Master Degrees in finance from The Ohio State University.  He was employed for many years with the government, retiring in 2002.

Gene was very devoted to his Catholic faith and was a parishioner of St. Leonard Catholic Church and a 4 ^th Degree member of their Knights of Columbus Council.

As a sport enthusiast, Gene served many years as a Licking County sports referee for football, basketball and volleyball.  He held a black belt in karate, enjoyed golfing, and was also an avid fan of The OSU Buckeyes.

Gene also served on the Licking County Rescue Dive Team and volunteered with the Crisis Center Hotline.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sara (Wilson) Stevenson; children, Bryan (Katie) Smith, Karen (Bob) Maxwell, and Sharon (Greg) Baumer; grandchildren, Michael Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez; great-grandson, Michael Gonzalez Jr.; siblings, Patty Stevenson, Kathleen York, Rose Ann (Herb) Dysart; Charlotte (Frank) McDunough, and Paul Diemoz; sisters-in-law, Barbara Stevenson and Betty Stevenson; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his birth parents, Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Sadie "Sally" Stevenson; brothers, George and Ollie Stevenson; sister-in-law, Kathleen Diemoz; and brother-in-law, Tom York.

The family requests memorials to The Turban Project, 7871 Ridge Rd., Frazeysburg, Oh 43822.

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, is assisting the family with arrangements.  To share your memory of Gene or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.