Gene Buel

Gene Buel was a quiet man, whose actions always spoke louder than his words. He was a loyal, loving man, a man who lived with character and compassion for those around him. Gene was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, he was a man who was always happy to help those around him, and taught us to do the same.

Gene’s story began on a warm summer day in 1926, in the little town of Three Rivers, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s and the Prohibition era. On August 15, 1926, Raymond and Edna (Nichols) Buel celebrated the birth of their first child, a baby son they named Eugene Starr Buel.

Gene was the first of 10 children in the large family. As the family grew, they moved around quite a bit when Gene was young, and he attended several different one-room schools as a boy as a result. He enjoyed going fishing with his best friend, Lawrence Searer, often with his little brothers tagging along.

Gene eventually attended Three Rivers High School, where he once acted in a school play. He was a good student, and especially good at math, which helped him later in life. After he graduated in 1944, Gene found a job at the Eddy Paper Company in Three Rivers, the beginning of a long career in the paper industry.

Gene worked at Eddy for five years, and in 1949, he and his second brother left Three Rivers, heading up the road to Kalamazoo, where Gene found work at the Kalamazoo Paper Company, working in the office. The company would later be called Georgia-Pacific, and Gene would remain there the rest of his career.

His professional life now on track, Gene’s personal life began to bloom, as well. He bought his first home on Tampa Avenue in Kalamazoo, high on the hill off of East Main, and not far from the paper mill. He joined the Masons, the start of a long, active involvement with the group.

Gene also met a woman named Jean Collier, and they began dating and were married in the early 1950s. Sadly, Jean became ill at a very young age, and died in 1959.

Gene was saddened, but he wasn’t meant to remain alone for long. A neighbor friend of Gene’s introduced him to a wonderful young woman named Virginia Beaver, and the two set up a date to go dancing one evening. They clicked on every level that night, and Gene knew right then and there that she was the one for him. The happy couple was married on August 4, 1960, at the Second Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, beginning many wonderful years together. That same year, Gene became a Master Mason, and was active in the Grange, a fraternal order of American farmers.

It wasn’t long before the newlyweds became parents, with the birth of their son Everett in 1962. Their son Vernon rounded out the happy family four years later. The growing family soon moved to a home on Nichols Road in Kalamazoo, then to a lovely home on Cherokee, in the lovely Westwood neighborhood. He also became very active in the West Oshtemo Grange there, as well. The family was also longtime, devoted members of the Second Reformed Church on Stadium Drive.

Virginia happily cared for the home and the family, while Gene was the consummate provider, who worked very hard to give his family everything they needed. Gene was such a caring, helpful man, though, and was quick to lend a hand to whoever was in need. He was a longtime member of the Kalamazoo AMBUCS, as well, the charitable service organization, helping those with disabilities.

Gene eventually retired from Georgia-Pacific, after more than 40 years working in the paper industry. He enjoyed his free time, spending time with his family and friends, and loved quiet times at home with his beloved Virginia, watching Wheel of Fortune on the couch together, along with the nighttime dramas and sitcoms. He also stayed very active in his many organizations, wearing many hats for a man who collected neck ties.

Eventually, Gene’s health began to decline, and he moved to Tendercare of Westwood, not far from his home, where he remained the rest of his days. Gene died there peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2008 at the age of 81.

Gene was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life devoted to helping those around him. Once he was asked how he’d like to be remembered, and he wrote simply, “Quiet, good to others, and always willing to help whenever possible.” Gene was most certainly all of those things, and so much more. He will be greatly missed.

View Gene’s life story film and visit with his family and friends Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo 6080 Stadium Drive 375-2900. A service to honor his life will be held Thursday 1:00 PM at Second Reformed Church. Following the service, food and fellowship will be shared in the church hall. Interment will take place at Mt. Ever-Rest North.

Gene was preceded in death by four siblings; Clifford, Ruth, Judson, Lorraine. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Virginia (Beaver) Buel; his two sons; Everett Buel of Kalamazoo, Vernon (Cherish) Buel of Houston, TX, three granddaughters; Chloe, Olivia, Grace Buel, five siblings; Janette Mallett, Roy Buel, Mary Jane (Kenneth) Wright, Alice Stockdale, all of Three Rivers, Donald (Linda) Buel of Constantine, one sister-in-law; Beverly Buel of Kalamazoo, one brother-in-law; Dennis Slack of Three Rivers and several nieces and nephews. Please visit Gene’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guest book, share a photo or memory or make a memorial contribution to Second Reformed Church, AMBUCS or charity of your choice.