Eugene Norman Fouts

Eugene “Gene” Norman Fouts (92) went home to heaven in the afternoon of February 10, 2026, surrounded by his family. Gene was born on March 18, 1933 in Harvey, Illinois. Gene was the fourth of five children born to Frank and Catherine (Sebock) Fouts. Gene was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois where he met his lifelong sweetheart, Shirley (Boswell) Fouts. On January 18, 1953, Gene and Shirley were married in Harvey, IL and later moved to New Lenox, Illinois.

Gene is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Shirley, his parents Frank and Catherine (Sebock) Fouts, and his three brothers Frank Fouts, Peter Fouts, and William Fouts. Gene is survived by his sister Mary Ann (Chet) Gratkowski, his two children Cindy (Walt) Arnhold and Gary (Jamee) Fouts, three grandchildren Tom (Christina) Slick, Stephanee (Rob) Dupre, and Tiffanee Fouts, and five great grandchildren, Macie and Lucas Slick, Rilee, Austin, and Colton Dupre and many nieces and nephews.

Gene served in the United States Army as a Private First Class . He was a longtime member of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Joliet and worked at Argonne National Laboratory before retiring from Com-Ed in 1996.

Gene will forever be remembered for his unparalleled generosity. Anyone was welcome at his table and there was always room for one more. If you were introduced to Gene once, he would remember your name for a lifetime. He was an avid Cubs fan and liked watching, talking, and bemoaning the plight of the Cubs. He enjoyed trying new restaurants and traveling to new places. Most of all, Gene loved spending time with his family. From Sunday afternoons out to lunch after church, week nights spent supporting his grandchildren in whatever sport or musical endeavor they were involved in, to amazing family vacations in Hawaii, Banff or Galena. Spending time with family was Gene’s favorite pastime.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. with a service taking place at 12:30 p.m. A private burial ceremony for immediate family will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lightways Hospice or Ridgewood Baptist Church Benevolent Fund would be greatly appreciated. For information www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3700.