Cecil Eugene “Gene” Strawmyer

Mr. Cecil Eugene “Gene” Strawmyer, 98, of Lebanon, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon. 

He was born January 31, 1928, a son of the late Orval and Fairy (Essex) Strawmyer. Gene was born at his granny’s house, west of Whitestown. He was the oldest of five children, including Franklin Strawmyer, Hubert “Red” (Betty) Strawmyer, Maxine (Delmer) Burtner, and Patty Reece. His family moved to the Kirklin area, where he attended the Bunton one room school for seven years. They then moved to Big Springs and he attended Whitestown High School, where Gene played on the basketball team; he would always brag that the team never lost a game.

Gene married his school girlfriend in 1948, Phyllis M. Rader, and they had two children, Ileen Louise Lane of Cave Creek, Arizona and Lorene Kay Night of Indianapolis. Gene and Phyllis divorced after 10 years of marriage. 

Gene joined his brother in business in Lebanon. In 1966, his brother sold the business to him, and Gene operated it until he retired in 1994.

Gene was a member of the Whitestown Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school superintendent for four years. Following retirement, Gene spent the last 25 winters in Florida, where he had a lot of friends. 

Gene enjoyed fishing and always had a boat. He had 14 nieces and nephews and he taught them all how to ski. 

In 2015, he married Irene Simms and she passed away May 17, 2025.

Gene never saw a stranger and he made friends wherever he went. He will be missed by neighbors, friends, and family. 

Gene had two grandchildren, Brett Richwine, who lost his life in a car accident at an early age, and Kent Richwine. He also had three great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Gene had eight step children, which he spent a lot of time with. 

Family and friends will gather Monday, June 1, for visitation from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Gene will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.