Eugene H. "Gene" Vater, 90, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011. He was born Sept. 16, 1920, in Hutchinson, the son of Herman and Irene Vater.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, a member of V.F.W. Bob Campbell Post #1361, American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, Hutchinson-Reno Masonic Lodge #124 A.F. & A.M. and had worked at Cessna for 33 years, retiring in 1980 as maintenance foreman.

On April 1, 1947, he married Gertie B. Snyder at Corpus Christi, Texas. She died in 1979. He is survived by two sisters, Ann Miller of Wauconda, Ill., Betty Purifoy of Odessa, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Sooki Mattison of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Janice Mattison of Hutchinson, Diane Miller of Hutchinson, Mark and Suzy Mattison of Hutchinson, Jay E. Mattison of Haven, Rhonda and Mike Jenette of Hutchinson, Wayne and Arlene Chism of Lawrenceburg, Ky., Vickie and Andy Faulkner of Wichita; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jay and Donald; a daughter, Betty Guffey; and a great-grandson.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at Elliott Chapel, with Chaplain Bob Phipps officiating. Burial with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard will be in Fairlawn Burial Park. Calling hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the mortuary. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for Eugene's family.