Francis Eugene "Gene" Pohlable

Francis Eugene “Gene” Pohlable died peacefully in his sleep on March 5, 2025, at Lima Memorial Health System, in Lima, Ohio. Francis Eugene “Gene” Pohlable was born December 28, 1931, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, to George Joseph and Cecile Elizabeth (Hasting) Pohlabeln who preceded him in death. Gene’s mother changed Pohlabeln to Pohlable after she and George separated and were later divorced. Gene was the only child of George, who died October 22, 1968, in Ecorse, Michigan, and Cecile who died June 26, 1963, in Lima, Ohio. George is buried with his second wife, Anna, in Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On May 26, 1956, Gene married Shirley Ann Harshbarger in the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Wapakoneta and she preceded him in death on October 30, 2021. He is survived by a daughter, Mary (Jerry) Brennan of Renton, Washington, and a son, Kenneth (Polly) Pohlable of Lake Worth, Florida. There are three grandchildren, Michael Pohlable of San Jose, California, Michelle (Ransom) Miller of Lake Worth, Florida, and Kelly Brennan of San Francisco, California. There are two great grandchildren, Sonatina Grace-Ann Miller and Dorian Kenrick Miller, of Lake Worth, Florida. Mr. Pohlable was a 1950 graduate of Blume High School, Wapakoneta, and began working at Miller’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners right after graduation. He retired from Miller’s in 1991. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Pohlable was a member of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, the Auglaize County Genealogical Society, and the Auglaize County Historical Society. He was an avid fisherman and a longtime member of the Brand’s Lake Fishing Club until 2011. He loved to travel with his family and was very proud of his and Shirley’s family research. He created the family history on his mother’s side and his father’s side (two books) with Shirley and the help of his family. He loved his family very much and enjoyed making people laugh. Gene and his son traveled to Lorup, Germany, the birthplace of his grandfather, Nicholas Pohlabeln, in 1999. In 2005, Gene’s daughter, Mary, her husband, Jerry, and their daughter, Kelly, visited Lorup, Germany, and met many of their German cousins, too. There will be no visitation. Mr. Pohlable’s cremains will be buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta, at his family’s convenience. His cremains will be buried in between his wife’s cremains and his mother’s grave. Arrangements are being conducted by the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Auglaize County Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Francis Eugene "Gene" Pohlable

December 28, 1931 - March 5, 2025