Gene Cornelius, 83, of Dugger, passed away at his residence Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.

Born June 17, 1923 in Sullivan County, he was the son of Camille Cornelius and Alma Comstock Cornelius.

He was a World War II Navy veteran, retired coal miner from Peabody Coal Co., a member of the UMWA, and a member of the Bethel Community Church in Dugger.

Survivors include: one son, Larry Cornelius of Dugger; a daughter, Sharon Rider of Noblesville; one brother, Art Cornelius of Linton; two sisters, Sue Morgan of Brownsburg and Martha Weber of Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Clanton Cornelius in 2001; one daughter; Donna Cornelius; and two brothers, Augie Cornelius and Keith Cornelius.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Newkirk's Funeral Home in Dugger with the Rev. Cletus Bough officiating. Burial will follow in the Dugger Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and before the service on Saturday.