Clarence Eugene Rovenstine

Clarence Eugene "Gene" Rovenstine, age 91, of Nappanee, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2006, at Miller's Merry Manor in Plymouth. He was born May 29, 1914, in Atwood, Indiana, to Cassius & Lulu (Massena) Rovenstine.

On May 1, 1937, in Lafayette, Indiana, he married Doris May Ward, his wife of 68 years.

Gene moved to Miller's Merry Manor in November of 2005. He previously lived at Heritage House Assisted Living in Nappanee. After retiring, Gene & Doris lived in various places in Florida for approximately 30 years, even teaching school a couple of years while in Florida. Gene and his wife even started an antique business; buying and selling antiques. He also built, owned and operated the Comet Theatre in Bourbon in addition to being a school teacher. They lived in Bremen after their time in Florida, but still spent winters in Florida until about 5 years ago. They also spent a couple of winters in Arizona. Prior to moving to Florida, they resided in Bourbon, where he taught school.

Gene graduated from Wabash College in Crawfordsville in 1935, where he was a star basketball player and had the honor of being named to the 1935 All State College Basketball Team. He was a school teacher for 35 years and a former high school basketball coach. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Bremen. A 32nd Degree Mason, he was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge in Bourbon and later, Plymouth. Gene was also a member of the Ft. Wayne Valley of the Scottish Rite and the Mizpah Shrine Temple, as well as the Delta Tau Fraternity. He enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting and bowling. He liked spectator sports and watching sports on television. He was an avid reader, excellent crossword puzzle solver and liked to play cards. He also enjoyed traveling and traveled many places in his life, including a trip around the world in 1977.

Survivors include his wife: Doris May Ward Rovenstine. 3 daughters: Rosemary (Richard) Stutzman of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Rita (Roger) Thayer of Argos, Indiana and Roberta (Steve) Mann of Osceola, Indiana. Grandchildren: Tod (Marcy) Stutzman, Belinda (Jeff) Hartzler, Robin (Chris) Davidson, Pamelyn (Todd) Eads, Jennifer (Dustin) Silva, Michael (Lisa) Mann and Matthew Mann. Great-grandchildren: Lauren, Preston, and Marlynne Stutzman; Audrey and A.J. Hartzler, Griffyn and Quentyn Carpenter, Braydon and Christin Davidson, Matalie, Nicole and Nathan Mann; and Caroline Eads. He was preceded in death by his parents. Brothers: Jack, Joe and Tim Rovenstine and a grand daughter: Jill Carpenter and great-grand daughter Madelyn Eads.

Services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2006, at 11:00AM at Grace United Methodist Church in Bremen. Pastor William Garver will officiate. Burial will follow at Bremen Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8PM on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at the Mishler Funeral Home in Bremen. There will be a Masonic Service on Wednesday at 7:30PM at the funeral home in Bremen.

Memorials may be made to the Jill Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Marshall County Foundation or to the Centers for Hospice.