Gene Franklin Wingler, 85, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Arcola and Oakland Illinois, died on Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Gardiner Home in Phoenix, Arizona. Four days after his passing, his wife, Eileen followed Gene in death.  They were so close; she couldn't stand to be apart.  She was 81, formerly of Oakland Illinois.

Gene served in the Army Air Corps from 1946 to 1949 which took him to Alaska and the Pentagon.  Shortly after his return Gene and Eileen were married on October 15, 1949. After Eileen graduated high school Magna Cum Laude in 1950, Gene's love of photography took the couple to Los Angeles California where he attended the Fred Archer School of Photography while Eileen attended a secretarial school. After they returned to Illinois, Gene was employed at U.S.I. Chemical Corp. in Tuscola for 13 years and then worked as a photographer for Eastern Illinois University for 15 years. Eileen was a secretary at Eastern Illinois University and retired after 26 ½ years.  He loved nature photography but found a special interest in taking portraits that he used in his own business as a wedding photographer.  Eileen was a homemaker early in their journey and continued in that vein by organizing family get-togethers and making the family's traditional meals. They were life-long members of the Kemp Church of Christ.

Gene was born September 13, 1928 in Douglas County, the son of John Franklin and Leah Pearl Sutton Wingler. Eileen was born November 23, 1932 in Douglas County the daughter of Harold Richmond and Faire Elizabeth Gordon Ogdon. They were married in Arcola on October 15, 1949. Survivors include their daughter, Cynthia (John) Coffey of Phoenix, Arizona; two sons, Eric (Liz) Wingler of Youngstown, Ohio; Todd (Anne) Wingler of Austin, Texas; 5 grandsons, Neil Coffey, Shawn, Christopher, Todd and Tyler Wingler; 2 granddaughters, Lisa Coffey and Heidi Wingler; 1 great-grandson and 3 great-granddaughters; and for Gene, 2 brothers, Jerry Wingler of Whites Creek, Tennessee; and Lew Wingler of Geneva, Indiana. Gene was preceded in death by two brothers, Alvin and Don. Eileen was preceded in death by a brother Jim.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to11:00 AM on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola, followed by the funeral services at 11:00 AM with Minister Dick Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com .