Charles Eugene “Gene” Mayhood (88) of Effingham

Charles Eugene “Gene” Mayhood, 88, of Effingham, IL, was surrounded by his family when he went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, and also an hour before the 11:00 a.m. service on Wednesday, all at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Cross Foundation, The Family Life Center, or the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.

Gene was born on July 10, 1932, in Effingham, IL, the son of Orville and Mildred (Finfrock) Mayhood. He married Norma Jean “Jeannie” Smith on September 30, 1951, and they raised five children together in a loving, Christ-filled home. Gene was a member of First Baptist Church where he generously gave of his time and talent.

Gene had an entrepreneurial spirit driven by his desire to bring business and job opportunities to Effingham. His expansive career in construction began when he picked up a hammer in the Effingham High School Vocational Building Trades Project in 1948. He married his high school sweetheart and then proudly served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War. After returning home, Gene began working for Norge/Fedders and also started a construction company and ready-mix plant.

As a general contractor, Gene built several houses in Effingham and a few cabins on Lake Sara, along with many commercial buildings throughout the city. Gene was known as a risk taker; he was a true entrepreneur who was ahead of his time, and he loved sharing his entrepreneurial experience to help others grow professionally.

Gene helped to expand the landscape in Effingham to the south side of town and built the Village Square Mall, which opened in 1971. He started many of the businesses within the mall, including the Village Cinemas, Playland Arcade, Radio Shack, Keyboard Music Company, Computer Village, Carousel Ice Cream Shop, and Village Snack Bar. He also built LincolnLand Amusement Park, which brought much joy and entertainment to thousands of visitors.

His biggest accomplishment, however, was his close-knit family—all of whom are very proud of him and all that he gave to the Effingham community.

Gene was a private pilot who loved to fly. He also enjoyed woodworking, photography, and building and flying model airplanes.

Gene’s family and friends loved his kindhearted personality and always expected to hear one of his many jokes—even if they had heard it many times before!

Gene is already missed by his wife of nearly 70 years of marriage, Jeannie Mayhood; children, Steve (Nancy) Mayhood, Cathy, deceased (Steve) Swingler, Mark (Dianne) Mayhood, Jim Mayhood (special friend, Cinia Molina), and Lynne Ann (Robert) Nosbisch; grandchildren Christopher Mayhood, Beth Mayhood, Scott Mayhood, Jason Mayhood deceased, Christy (Tony) Hakman, Brian (Erin) Swingler, Carrie (Kevin) Schultz, Brandt (Valerie) Mayhood, Brook Mayhood, Blake Nosbisch, Aaron (Skye) Nosbisch, and Caily (fiancé, Garrett Kaminski) Nosbisch; 19 great-grandchildren; and sister, Gwen (Bob) Mann.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cathy Swingler; grandson, Jason Mayhood; great-grandson, Brett Mayhood; and sister, Carol (Gary) Manuel.