Michael "Gene Anderson

“Michael Eugene “Gene” Anderson was born the 7th of July, 1953 to Calvin “Andy” Anderson and Lucille (Prater) Anderson in Wood River, Illinois. Gene fought a good fight, finished the course, kept the faith, and received his reward in death on the 13th of March, 2026 in Paducah, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Tarissa Buchanan, and his youngest brother, Victor “Vic” Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife, two brothers, Jim (wife Cheryl) Anderson and Keith (wife Susan) Anderson, two sisters, Christine (husband Don) Creamer and Anna Marie (husband Frank) Cripps, a brother-in-law, Dave Buchanan, some aunts and uncles, his two children, three granddaughters, and numerous more in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. Gene married his sweetheart, Nancy Whitehead on April the 14th, 1990. They had a love-filled marriage dedicated to serving Christ, each other, their children, and anybody they met along the way. During their nearly 36 year marriage, it was rare to find Gene without Nancy by his side. Together, they had 2 children: Melody Anderson and Adam Anderson (wife Regan). Gene and Nancy shared 3 beautiful granddaughters: Loretta, Bonnie, and Gladys Anderson. Papa Gene was greatly beloved by his granddaughters. Gene could do just about anything he set his mind to do. Gene retired from P&L Railway in 2013 where he worked as a diesel mechanic for many years. He spent his retirement with his wife and children in service to others. It wasn’t uncommon to find him working on cars, restaurant equipment, building ponds for his grandchildren to fish, woodworking, brick-laying, shoveling snow for neighbors, building fences with his son or duck pens with his daughter, splitting wood with Nancy, or just working on whatever else was needed. And although you could never trust his work to be square, you could be sure it was going to be sturdy. As a life-long member of the Church of Christ, perhaps the most common way to find Gene was in service to God. Gene sat for hours daily in prayer, study, and song for the Lord, and spoke nearly every Sunday at the church house in Paducah, KY. Above all else, Gene’s faith in God and His promises showed throughout his life. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” [1 Thessalonians 4:13]. A viewing will be held from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on Friday March 20th, 2026 at Smith Funeral Chapel in Smithland, KY. The Funeral will follow immediately after at 1:00 pm at the same location.”