Merlyn Eugene "Gene" Lower, Jr., 79, of Moweaqua, died May 19, 2026 in Taylorville Memorial Hospital, Taylorville, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, May 25, 2026 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, with a visitation from 1:00 – 3:00, prior to service time.  Burial in Rosamond Cemetery, Rosamond, IL will be at a later date.  Memorials may be made to Moweaqua Golf Course or Moweaqua Fireman's Club.

Gene was born on August 12, 1946 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Merlyn E. and Lola L. (Rinehart) Lower, Sr.  He married Joann E. Waddington on April 21, 1967 in Pana, IL.  She survives.

Gene had a lifelong passion for hot rod cars, model railroading, and golf. He was also a devoted fan of Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball. Gene graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. In 1968, he purchased Cutler Insurance, and together Gene and his wife, Joann, owned and operated Gene Lower Insurance and Real Estate for over fifty years.

Surviving are his wife, Joann; son, Roger E. (Francine) Lower of Moweaqua, IL; daughter, Gina J. (Brook) Kemball-Cook of Friendswood, TX; grandchildren: Sidney, Lucas (Jessica), Sylvia, Savannah, and Hunter; sister, Susan (James) Bates of Baton Rouge, LA; and mother-in-law, Irma Waddington of Pana, IL.

Preceding him in death are his parents.