Obituary of Gene S. Menzel

Gene Menzel, age 68, of Joliet, passed away peacefully with his family nearby, after a short fight with cancer on March 31st, 2017. He was born a Sagitarius in 1948, to the late Edith M. (nee Kincannon) and William F. Menzel in Chicago, Illinois. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jonel (née McGowan) Menzel; and two daughters, Dawn (McCarty) and Jenny Arzate (née Kadoyama). He was the proud grandfather of Patrick, Samantha (Anthony Richardson) and Kayla (Rury); and brother-in-law to Joe Charles. He is also survived by his three sisters, Sue Menzel, Judy Menzel, and Donna (Wayne Witthuhn); his brother Daniel William (and wife Debra); his nieces, Heather Menzel, Kristie (Witthuhn), Jessica (Falk), Beverly (Molman), and Lynne (Brueggerman); his nephews, Scott (Seehuetter), Charlie (Witthuhn) and Jedediah Menzel; as well as many great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Daniel Louis; as well as his grandmother, Mary Magdalen "Ma" Kincannon, to whom Gene was very close. Gene was a lifelong enthusiast of music and considered by many as a master archivist of music history. A free spirit in every sense of the word, he was always a quick wit and an avid reader of philosophy and poetry. Gene had many hobbies that were reflected through his various careers in life. From craft-maker in the 1960's California scene, sound engineer for many Chicago bands in the 1970's, truck driver, bicycle builder and activist, and rounding it off by becoming quite an incredible guitarist in his later years. He lived life with a boisterous laugh and his selfless generosity will surely be missed. Upon Gene's request, there will not be any traditional services at this time. However if you leave contact information on the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home website at www.fredcdames.com, we, the family, will certainly let you know where and when his memorial will be.