Eugene Frecker

Eugene Frecker, 92, of New Haven, Indiana passed away August 31, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center.

He was born on July 15, 1931, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Joseph and Marie (Weller) Frecker.

Gene was united in marriage to Rita Gerardot on January 27, 1951 at St. Louis Catholic Church – Besancon and she survives.

He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church – Besancon in New Haven.  Gene was a lifetime member of the Decatur Moose Lodge #1311.

Gene was a lifelong farmer.  He retired in 1979 from International Harvester after 30 years.  While at Harvester, he was also a member of the UAW Local #57.

Gene was very involved with his family.  His caring nature was evident in how he treated everyone in his family and was proud of their accomplishments.  He was also generous with his time by sharing it with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was also very ornery…a trait that he used even in his last days.

Gene was passionate about his horses and horse racing. He started this “hobby” of horses at a young age.  He went to numerous harness races each year in addition to county fair races.  The racing was a family affair and anyone who was able to come shares fond memories of those events.  He was a longtime member of the Monroeville Saddle Club.

In his later years, he became quite the “wheeler and dealer” to the area Amish community.  He would frequent auctions, buying and selling items and then barter them with the Amish.  He earned the nickname “the garage sale on wheels”.

Gene is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rita Frecker of New Haven, Indiana; three sons, Ken Frecker of New Haven, Indiana, Tom (Diana) Frecker of New Haven, Indiana, and Garald “Gary” (Ronna) Frecker of New Haven, Indiana; daughter, Barb (Ed) Strubel of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Larry Frecker of Hoagland, Indiana; brother, Carl (Sandy) Frecker of Woodburn, Indiana; brother, Harold (Mary) Frecker of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister, Rosemarie (Jim) Duffek of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Stanley Frecker of Fort Wayne, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Renee (Shane) Zellers, Kenton Frecker, Troy Frecker, Travis Frecker, Karrie Buuck, Kurt (Amy) Frecker, Ivy (Adam) Hanford, and Mae Strubel; ten great-grandchildren, Lane Zellers, Kate Zellers, Jake Zellers, Alex Buuck, Chase Buuck, Tyler Buuck, Carter Frecker, Cole Frecker, Gabe Hanford, and Lucy Hanford.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Tony Frecker on February 5, 2018; sister, Phyllis Ann Kuhn; Brothers:  Delbert Frecker, Donald Frecker, and Richard Frecker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at St. Louis Catholic Church – Besancon with Father Tyrell Alles officiating. Burial will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery – Besancon.

Friends and family will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville.

The Holy Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Jacobs Chapel.

Preferred memorials are to St. Louis Catholic Church – Besancon or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville, Indiana