Eugene "Gene" Price, 78 years old of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away at 2:57 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in the Parkview Hospital located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Gene was born on Friday, May 3, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio the son of the late Curtis T. Price and the late Marguert A. (Busick) Price. He married Phyllis H. Engleman on November 8, 1980 and she survives. Eugene was a member of Hope United Methodist Church in Hoagland, IN. He held various offices in the church. Eugene also was a member of the Hoagland Area Advancement Association, National Education Association, and East Allen Educator Association. Gene represented teachers in the local, state, and National Education Association and advanced their causes. Along with Gene's many memberships, some of his other special recognitions included: Indiana State Teacher Association Pacesetter Award; President's Award-East Allen Educator Association in 1992; Golden Apple Awards-1974-1991, and the Outstanding Young Citizens Award from the Columbus, Ohio Elks Lodge in 1957. Gene was a teacher for 45 years, first teaching at schools in Ohio and then 38 years in the Fort Wayne area including Pleasant Center, Village Woods, and New Haven High School before finishing his education career at Heritage High School in the East Allen County School District. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis H. Price of Ft. Wayne, IN; daughter, Cindie Matuska of Ft. Wayne, IN; daughter, Christie (Roger) Flud of Jenks, OK; daughter, Miriam "Mimi" (Mark) Sams of Broken Arrow, OK; daughter, Anne Elizabeth "Beth" Hombach of Ft. Wayne, IN; 14 Grandchildren, 2 Great-Grandchildren. Preceding Gene in death were 1 daughter, Sarah Hombach-Price; 1 granddaughter, Maya Christine Sweat. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2013 in the Hope United Methodist Church with Rev. Stacy Downing officiating. Preferred memorials are to Hope United Methodist Church or Ft. Wayne Animal Control.
