Mr. Gene Cannedy 79, of Rochester was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at Life Care Center, Rochester at 4:20 p.m. on January 11, 2017.

Born in Carterville, IL on December 26, 1937, Earl Eugene Cannedy was the treasured son of Lester and Nellie Cannedy. Growing up he shared his childhood with a sister Vicki and two brothers Sam and Wayne. With great pride Gene graduated from Leiters Ford's Aubbeenaubbee Township High School with the class of 1955.

Gene was first married to Pauline Freel. Later their marriage dissolved. On November 27, 1982 in Lansing, Il Gene married Donna Werkheiser. Together they shared more than 34 years of life's adventures. Over the years the family tree grew with the added blessings of twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A professional firefighter, Gene served the City of Chicago as a member of their fire department for two decades retiring in 1988. During the same stint he worked for the Conrail Railroad Company for 44 years of dedicated service retiring in 1999. He returned to Fulton County following retirement and was a faithful member of the Kewanna Church of Christ.

Grandpa Gene enjoyed taking his family, especially the grandchildren on boat rides around the sparkling waters of Lake Manitou. Winter allowed the opportunity for he and Donna to escape to sunny Ft. Myers Beach where they enjoyed the beach, sunshine and warm gulf waters. An avid Cub fan, Gene thoroughly loved cheering for his Cubbies on to their World Series championship in 2016.

Left to cherish Gene's memory are his wife Donna at home, six children: Patricia Standerski and husband Ed of Portage ,Earl Cannedy Jr. and wife Pia of CA, Barbara Rymarczyk and husband Tom of New Lenox, IL, Pamela Byrd of Naples, FL, David Cannedy of Kokomo, Matthew Cannedy of New Lenox, IL; twelve grandchildren: Bryan Standerski, Tim Standerski, Jennifer Zimmerman and husband Dan, Kairos Cannedy, Kianna Cannedy, Ava Cannedy, Ehren Cannedy, Stephanie McMillan and husband Seth, Rachael Green and husband Zach, Megan Byrd, Brittney Urban, Shawn Falstrom, two great-grandchildren Cain Standerski and Wyatt McMillan, a sister Vicki Cooley and husband Jerry of Knox, a brother Sam Cannedy and wife Marilyn of Rochester. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Gene was predeceased by his parents Lester and Nellie Cannedy and a brother Wayne Cannedy in December of 2016.

Pastor Aaron McCombs will officiate services.