Eugene Edward Skaggs, 91, of Pawnee, Ill., passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. Gene was born March 25, 1921, near Pawnee, the son of Ollie G. and Dollie E. VanSickle Skaggs. He married Faye Miller on Feb. 20, 1949, in Springfield. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald, and a sister, Elizabeth Shaw. Gene attended Colean Grade School, graduated from Ball Township High School in 1938, and attended Blackburn College. Gene was a life-long farmer and was Sangamon County Farmer of the Year in 2001 and a member of the Farmer Hall of Fame. He was a 50-year member of the Pawnee Lodge 675 AF&AM, where he was a Past Master (1957), served as secretary for 30 years and as a past District Deputy Grand Master. He was instrumental in the building of the Pawnee Lodge Hall. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Ansar Shrine and Pawnee Order of the Eastern Star 436, serving as Worthy Patron three times. He was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church, and he served on the Pawnee School Board. These all added to the life accomplishments of this successful man. He is survived by his wife, Faye; a daughter, Linda (Richard) Voltz of Springfield; and a son, Gary (Linda Jumper) of Pawnee; six grandchildren, Jeffrey (Renee) Voltz of Loves Park, Ill.; Bradley (Kerri) Voltz of Mokena, Ill.; Lori DeMoney of Denver, Colo.; Kristi Deily (Matt LaBarge) of Bremerton, Wash.; Kelly (James) Lambrakos of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Jennifer (David) LaFrance, of Bloomington, Ill.; and nine great-grandchildren, Alexis, Payton and Olivia Voltz; Kailey and Mitchell Voltz; Asher DeMoney; Julien LaBarge; Jackson LaFrance; and Lily Faye Lambrakos. Visitation will be held at the Pawnee United Methodist Church Tuesday, May 8, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 9, at 11 a.m. at the Pawnee United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bob Swickard and the Rev. Flo Scott officiating. Burial will be in Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee. Memorials may be made to the Pawnee Masonic Lodge or to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Eugene Skaggs. Service: 11: a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Pawnee United Methodist Church Visitation: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012 Pawnee United Methodist Church