Eugene augusti Johann Peter (1908 – 1969)

Eugene “Gene” Augusti Johannpeter föddes den 20, 1908, Julius och Bertha Johannpeter. Han var den andra sonen till farbror Jules och faster Bertha. Hans äldre bror var Julius “Punks” William Johannpeter, Jr, som flög post från Lambert Field tillsammans med Charles Lindbergh. “Punks” was seven years older than Gene.

Min farfar, Gilbert P. Ellis, lived with Uncles Jules and Aunt Bertha off and on after the death of his father William P. Ellis in December 1917. Grandpa was seven years younger than Gene, but they got along very well. When Grandpa and Gene reached adulthood, they would often do things together like hunting. “Punks” was fourteen years older than Grandpa, so they did not do as much stuff together. Grandpa looked up to “Punks” though. Besides being a talented pilot, he was also a good athlete.

Grandpa and Gene continued to hang out together in adulthood. Grandpa said that Gene was visiting him at the house in Mascoutah. Gene was showing Grandpa a new .45 caliber handgun that he bought. Gene pointed the gun to the corner to unload it. Grandpa did not have a clearing barrel but wished he had after this incident. Gene accidentally discharged a round, which ricocheted but did not hit either one of them. Emellertid, the noise from the discharge deafened them for a half hour or so.

Grandpa also told me about how Gene passed away at such an early age. Gene had been out for the evening with his wife Evelyn. When they arrived back home, Gene sat down in his chair. He looked up at his wife and said, “I don’t feel good. Goodbye. I love you.” His head slumped down to his chest like he was sleeping. Emellertid, Gene had passed away.

På Oktober 3, 1969, Eugene August Johannpeter died at 61 år. He was laid to rest in the same grave as his parents, Julius, and Bertha, i St. Peter’s Cemetery in Normandy. Gene was gone but not forgotten particularly by my grandfather.

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