View Video Tribute Ursel Eugene "Gene" Higbee, 79, of Keokuk, IA, died Friday, September 11, 2009 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. He was born on September 10, 1930 in Lee County, IA, the son of Ursel Edward and Beatrice Clink Higbee. On October 10, 1953, Gene was united in marriage to Shirley Ruth Nash in Keokuk, IA. She survives. Other survivors include four daughters, Debbie Martin and her husband Chuck of Montrose, IA, Linda Messenger of Keokuk, Brenda Hoffstatter and her husband Bob of Branson, MO and Wanda Schindley of Mt. Pleasant, TX, one step daughter, Delores Clay of Mt. Pleasant, TX, three sons, Kim Higbee of Kenmore, WA, Kirk Higbee of Mt. Pleasant, TX , and Steve Higbee of Dallas, TX, fifteen grandchildren, Carrie Bryant, Kimberly Wessel, Christa Adams, Michael Messenger, Victoria Barker, Kaylene Higbee, Kameron Higbee, Madison Higbee, Brent Hoffstatter, Brandi Ely, Tamara Hoffstatter, Tim Hoffstatter, Lisa Galagos, Craig Higbee and Jennifer Higbee, fourteen great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Sonnia Rowlett of Hamilton, IL and one brother-in-law, Carroll LaBonte of Warsaw, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. Gene was a veteran of the United States Army. He had been employed as a carpenter and over-the-road truck driver. He was a member of the New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, IA. Gene enjoyed woodworking, reading, working on the computer and studying the Bible. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Keokuk National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, IA.