Eugene "Geno" Birkner

Eugene C. “Geno” Birkner, 82, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Bickford Senior Living Facility in Crystal Lake, IL. Geno was born on March 22, 1941, in Belleville, IL, the son of Harold E. and Loretta D. (Waeltz) Birkner. He married Patricia A. Raske on August 11, 1990.

Geno earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Southern Illinois University in 1963, and his Master’s Degree from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. He taught 36 years of middle school, then high school Mathematics in Woodstock Community School District 200. After retirement in Illinois, he taught another 6 years of high school Mathematics at Westosha Central High School in WI. Those who knew him would call him a brilliant mathematician! Even while in assisted living this past year, he was a resource to his grandchildren and the aides at the nursing facility helping with their math homework. He was an avid fisherman and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, enjoyed playing cards, and loved to travel to Florida with his wife. Anyone who was blessed to have known Geno, met the kindest, gentlest soul.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; two step-daughters Deanna (Colin) Hunter of Garden Grove, CA and Angela (Cory) Fink of Wonder Lake, IL; his sister Barbara Juergens of Bolingbrook, IL; and twin brothers Ronald (Karen) Birkner and Donald (Carolyn) Birkner of New Athens, IL. Geno and Pat enjoyed spending time with their 5 grandchildren: Trenton Hunter of CA, Hannah Fink of AL, Travis Hunter of CA, Tyler Fink of IL, and Troy Hunter of CA. He is also survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Loretta Birkner, and his brother-in-law Ronald Juergens.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later time. 

Memorials can be made in Geno’s honor to the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306, online at APDAparkinson.org, or by email at apda@apda.parkinson.org- please include in the memo: In Memory of Gene Birkner. 

Memorials can also be sent to the McHenry County Retired Teachers Association by mail: MCRTA, P.O. Box 1776, Crystal Lake, IL 60039, please include in the memo: In Memory of Gene Birkner. 

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersfhc.com

Call Saunders Funeral Home & Crematory for more info at 815-420-3030.

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