Date of death: 1/15/2021
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1970
EUGENE “GENE” E. FLECK, 76, of Huntington, passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Trust bridge Hospice in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Born March 25, 1944, in Jasper, Ind., he was a son of the late Lawrence Joseph and Marcella (Marks) Fleck.
Gene married Laura J. Roberts on Aug. 7, 1965. Gene attended St. Meinard Seminary for five years. He was a graduate of Indiana State University with a Master’s degree in Latin. Gene was a teacher for three years in Portage. Following teaching he had several upper management positions over a 15 year period with the Budd Company located in Detroit and Findlay, Ohio.
In 1985, along with partners from Hinkle Manufacturing, he built the current Indiana Box plant located in Riverfork Industrial Park. In 1988, he with several partners started Innovative Packaging in Huntington. He was employed there until his death. Gene was an avid golfer, and loved to tell a good joke. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and was very generous and passionate in helping others. He was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
Gene is also survived by son, Chris (Julie) Fleck of Fort Wayne; daughters, Carrie (Terry) Miller of Warren, Ind., and Lori (Jeff) Cox of Huntington; brother, Dan (Joan) Fleck of Plainfield, Ind.; sister, Kitty (Bill) Weikert of Jasper, Ind.; 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his grandson, Carter Fleck; brother, Allen Fleck; and sisters, Marilyn Schmitt, Irma Schnaus, Donna Schmitt, and Margaret Kress.