PLEVNA - Joseph Eugene "Gene" Horton, 73, died March 5, 2009, at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson.

He was born May 1, 1935, in Sterling, the son of H.D. and Esther Stubbs Horton.

He graduated from East High School, Wichita, Kansas State University, Emporia State University and Wichita State University. He was a farmer and stockman in the Plevna community and was also a teacher for USD #308, mainly Roosevelt Elementary 3rd grade, retiring in 1997.

He belonged to Plevna Community Bible Church, where he was a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was a Plevna Sunflower 4-H Leader, a Plevna Township clerk, USD #310 School Board member, an actor for Abbyville Theater, and member of Hutchinson Reno Masonic Lodge #124 A.F.& A.M., Order of Eastern Star and Silver Leaf Chapter #464 in Hutchinson.

On March 17, 1957, he married Martha Delia McReynolds at Kansas State University Chapel in Manhattan. She survives.

Other survivors include: son, Joe, Pretty Prairie; daughters, Karen Horton and Myra Horton, Hutchinson; brother, Max, Hutchinson; sister, Janet Harding, Wichita; and three granddaughters, Stacia, Stefani and Shelby Horton.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lucille Marie Gillette.

Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Plevna Community Bible Church, with Pastor David E. Green and Dr. Alva F. Goossen presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Inurnment will be in Hazen Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Plevna Community Bible Church in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.