Eileen G. “Gene” Walkup, 76, of 802 Kimberly Drive in St.Marys, OH died 7:45 a.m. Wednesday December 5, 2007 at the JTDM Hospital in St.Marys.

She was born December 26, 1930 in Coldwater, OH to Joseph & Hortense (Cook) Gengler.

On July 7, 1956 she married Ray Walkup, who died February 25, 1965.

She is survived by:

Son, Joseph (Cindy) Walkup of Wapakoneta, OH

Daughter, Kelly (Kenneth) Ziegenbusch of Sugarcreek, OH

Son, Jeffrey (Kelley) Walkup of Franklin, TN

7 grandchildren: Craig Walkup, Emily Walkup, Nick Ziegenbusch, Max Ziegenbusch, Ray Ziegenbusch, Connor Walkup, Taylor Walkup

Sister, Kathryn “Kitty” (Dallas) Pierstorff of Celina, OH

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Joseph & Hortense Gengler, husband Ray Walkup, and a brother Neil Gengler.

She was a 1948 graduate of Coldwater High School.

She was a homemaker and had been a retail clerk at the St.Marys Hardware for many years. She was a very active member of the Wayne Street United Methodist Church and was a past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Stars (Hawthorne Chapter #119), both in St.Marys.

She enjoyed tending her flower garden and was known to be kind to animals, especially her pet dog, “Abby.”

Services are scheduled 11:00 a.m. Saturday December 8, 2007 at the Grace United Methodist Church 237 N. Pine Street in St.Marys, with the Rev. Mary Kay Brown, officiating. Burial will follow at the Swamp College Cemetery, in rural Mercer Co., OH

Visitation 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at the Miller - Long & Folk Funeral Home (High Street Chapel) in St.Marys, and one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either : Auglaize Co. Humane Society or the Wayne Street UMC.