Gene Edward Badertscher, 75, of Bluffton, died May 11, 2010, at 11:07 a.m. in St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He was born Nov. 11, 1934, to Albert and Sarah Hochstettler Badertscher in Hancock County, Ohio. On May 18, 1957, he married Nora Preto and she survives.

Mr. Badertscher was a carpenter, butcher, millwright and brick mason. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton, and was a past member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Bluffton.

He was a past member of the Bluffton fire and EMS squads. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a 1952 graduate of Bluffton High School.

In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters, Jean (Tom) Bernhoft, McComb, Janis Badertscher, Bluffton, and son, Kurt (Kim) Badertscher, Bluffton. Also surviving are grandsons Dylan Badertscher and Jack Bernhoft, a sister Erma Augsburger, Bluffton, and brother Maynard (Joyce) Badertscher, Bluffton. He was preceded in death by a sister, Vera Mitchell and Brother, Lyle Badertscher.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton. Rev. John Stites will officiate.

Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m., in the funeral home. Burial is in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton. Contributions may go to the Bluffton fire and EMS squad or St. Mary's Catholic Church.