Eugene L. Zehr, age 78, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, May 31, 2013 under Hospice Care at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Celebration of life services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with services conducted by Arnold Zehr and Fred Zehr. Visitation will begin noon Friday, June 7th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Masonic Lodge services will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be sent for Eugene's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Eugene was born February 23, 1935, in South English, Iowa, the son of Abraham K. and Louise M. "Lucy" (Eash) Zehr. Gene attended school in Keota, Iowa and graduated from Keota High School in 1953. On June 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to Deidre Miller at the United Methodist Church in Washington, Iowa.

Gene was a veteran of the United States Navy serving for four years. Following their marriage, Gene and Deidre lived in Keota, Iowa before moving to Washington in 1970. He owned and operated Washington Electric Service in Washington, Iowa, for 43 years. Gene was a fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge, was a 33rd degree Mason, and a member of the KAABA Shrine. He was a long time Boy Scout Master and actively supported the Boy Scouts. Gene was a long time member of the Southeast Iowa Antique Car Club. He enjoyed traveling, shopping, antiquing and visiting with friends. He loved being outside and spending time on his farm.

Gene is survived by his wife, Deidre Zehr of Washington, Iowa; son Christopher Zehr and wife Audrey of Washington, Iowa; son Michael Zehr of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Andrea Rich and husband Loren of Wayland, Iowa; son Samuel Zehr of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren, Ryan and Emily Zehr of Washington, Iowa; Adrienne Gorsch and husband Derek of Wellman, Iowa; KC Rich of Wayland, Iowa; Landon Rich of Huntsville, Alabama; as well as one great grandson, Easton Gorsch. He is also survived by one sister, Kathryn Pratt of Agency, Iowa; and sisters-in-law, Jean Zehr of Mediapolis, Iowa; Ruth Zehr of Keota, Iowa; Jean Zehr of Fairfield, Iowa; and Beverly Zehr of West Chester, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Austin, Lawrence, Wayne Cecil and Stanley Zehr; one sister-in-law, Betty Zehr; and one brother-in-law, Ted Pratt.