On June 27, 2024, our brother, uncle, dear friend and loved family member’s life ended, filling our hearts with sadness. 

His love of life, generosity, and beautiful smile were the reasons so many people called him friend. He was the life of the party and first to help anyone who needed it. He will be missed by so many. 

Gene was born March 8, 1960, in Big Rapids, MI. His life adventures took him from Michigan to California to Texas and back. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1979 and resided in the area ever since. We knew him as a master mechanic (could fix or build almost anything), a “milkman” for Dean Foods, a trucker, and most recently as the crushed concrete guy. He worked hard his entire life. 

Gene is survived by his sister Teri Chambers (Bob McCarthy), niece Casey (Mike) Gascon, and Angie Kardos of TN. Always close in his heart were D’Anna, Jessa, Rachel and Ron Trombley, who thought of him as Dad as he co-parented them with Cindy Trombley. He leaves many more nieces, nephews, and cousins. He came from the Battle family of Paris, MI, so the family who loved him was vast. Gene’s parents were Dorothy (Battle) and LaVern Kardos who proceeded him in death, as well as brothers Kenneth and Larry Kardos, nephew Derek Kardos, and niece Jessica Kardos of TN. 

He often talked about his “brothers from another mother”: Darrell, Chuck, Steve, George, Paul, Greg, Gary, and Steve —as they worked, played, and rode their Harleys. Are there Harleys in Heaven? Brenda (Sally), Ellen, Marielle, RuthAnne, Julie, and Mary Beth get gold stars as they attempted to both “Mother” Gene and guide his life, while filling his stomach. 

We will celebrate his life with a prayer service at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (22949 22 Mile Road, Paris, MI.) A celebration of Gene’s life will be held from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. at the Green Charter Township Hall (21431 Northland Drive Paris, MI) following the service. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids.