Gene Bordner

Gene Bordner, 78, of Bucyrus died unexpectedly of natural causes on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at his home.



He was born March 20, 1939 in Crawford County, the youngest child and only son of the late Glenn and Ilene (Glick) Bordner and grew up in Lykens Twp. He graduated from Lykens High School in 1957 where he played basketball and baseball and was in FFA. After moving to Florida briefly, Gene joined the Army, serving four years before eventually returning to Bucyrus. Over the years, he worked for Bucyrus City Tire, GE, and Outhwaite Tire before making his way to The Timken Co. from which he retired. While at GE, he met Joyce Miller and they were married November 23, 1963. Joyce preceded him in death March 5, 2007.



While intimidating to some, Gene will be remembered as the ornery, loud, and funny guy who always had a story you had probably heard him tell more than once. He enjoyed playing pickup basketball and city league softball when he was younger and seldom missed breakfast at The Crazy Fox, but his lifelong passion was cars. He enjoyed buying, selling, and trading cars and motorcycles and hanging out with fellow car lovers and The Eliminators Car Club. Gene followed the warm weather and sunshine after retirement, spending six months in Ohio and six months in Florida.



Gene is survived by two children, Vicki (Dale) Hartschuh of Bucyrus and Jack Bordner of Winter Haven, Florida; three grandchildren, Sarah (Michael) Leitzy, Allison (Clay) Cooper, and Daniel Hartschuh; two great grandchildren, Hailey and Nathan; three sisters, Avonelle Andrews of Hudson, Annabelle (Harold) Stinehelfer, and Joan Dunn, both of Bucyrus; brother-in-law, Keith (Shirley) Miller of Bucyrus; and his dear friend, Violet Stockmaster.



In addition to his parents and wife of 43 years, Gene was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Larry Andrews and Paul Dunn.



Gene’s family will receive friends on Monday, August 7 from 1-3 and 5-7 pm at Wise Funeral Service where his funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am with Gary Schiefer officiating. Burial will follow in Brokensword Cemetery.



Donation can be made payable to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County or a charity of the donor’s choice and given at the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Gene’s Tribute Wall.