Eugene F. Greif

Eugene F. Greif, 79, of Beloit, Kansas passed away May 14, 2008 at Mitchell Co. Hospital.
He was born August 29, 1928 in Glen Elder, KS to Max A. and Mary (Bergman) Greif. Due to the early loss of his mother, he and his sister Maxine lived at the convent while attending St. John's Grade School in Beloit. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1945. He attended St. Benedict's College until he had to return to help with the family business.
Gene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1954 when he was honorably discharged. He was a member of the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper and performed 26 jumps. He was transferred to the 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment where he served as Sgt. 1st Class in the Medical Company.
In 1954, Gene entered the family business, Greif Jewelers, and managed it after the death of his step-mother, Hazel Greif.
In 1958, Gene and Marilyn Morrell were united in marriage at St. John's Catholic Church. On April 10, 2008, they celebrated their 50th anniversary. One daughter, Carolyn Marie, was born to this union.
Gene owned Greif Jewelers in Beloit, KS until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the American Jewelers Association and the Kansas Jewelers Association, serving as president. He served 8 years on the Board of Directors as well. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, St. John's Cemetery Association, and served 10 years on the Beloit City Council. He earned his private pilot license in 1958. He enjoyed flying, golf and traveling coast to coast in their camper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father- and mother-in-law, John and Nellie Morrell, 2 brothers, Richard (Dick) and Max E.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn, Beloit, daughter Carolyn and her husband Bob Young, Ellis. He has 4 grandchildren, Kimberly, Chicago, Christopher, Salina, Michael and Stephanie, both of Ellis. He has 3 sisters, Maxine Klein, Pensacola, FL, Pat Luscombe and husband Jim of Bartlesville, OK, and Theresa Goyer and husband John of Cincinnati, OH as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Monday, May 19, at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit with burial in the church cemetery. A vigil service will be at 7:00 PM Sunday at the church. Memorials may be given to St. John's Trust Fund, Solomon Valley Hospice, or the Mitchell Co. Food Pantry. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday at the McDonald Funeral Home.