Eugene Gerald Lipovac passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.
Mass of Christian burial was at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery.
Eugene was born Sept. 26, 1926, at the Lipovac home in Des Moines, Iowa, the 10th of 11 children.
He was a proud World War II U.S. Army veteran, serving in Iwo Jima. Gene was a member of the American Legion for more than 70 years, including time as the commander of the Belizzi-McRae post in South Des Moines.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier until his retirement.
Gene enjoyed traveling to Croatia, American Legion Conventions and to Iowa Hawkeye football games. He was a fan of the New York Yankees throughout the years.
A lifelong resident of the south side of Des Moines, Gene was the softball coach at St. Anthony’s School for many years. He was honored by St. Anthony’s Church as a “Pillar of the Parish.”
Gene is a member of the Des Moines Softball Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years as a softball pitcher.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Wence and Mary; sisters, Mary, Kae and Vera; and brothers, Milo, John, Vance, Steve, Maurice, Ed and Ray.
He is survived by four generations of nieces and nephews, who remember him as the family historian and as a modest and kind gentleman.
The family is appreciative of the staffs at Mercy Hospital, Scottish Rite Park and Mercy Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in loving memory of Gene. Condolences may be directed to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
