Gene A. Bridger, Sr.

Gene A. Bridger, Sr., 86, of Elkhart, died September 22, 2010 at 7:33 pm at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born December 17, 1923 to James and Luda Mae (Marcum) Bridger, Sr. in Jonesboro, Ark. On July 2, 1960, he married Sandra K. Wine in Elkhart.

Surviving with his wife Sandra Bridger of Elkhart are children Gene (Donna) Bridger, Jr. and Kathy (Don) Nuner, all of South Bend, Mary Bridger of Elkhart, David Bridger of Mishawaka, Michael (Susan) Bridger of South Bend, Pierre (Shari) Bridger of Indianapolis, Tamatha (Brian) Morgan of Zanesville, OH; daughter-in-law Sharon Bridger of Elkhart; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy (Col. Dallas) Wright of Silver Springs, MD; and sister-in-law Joanne Bridger of Hardy, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son William Bridger, brothers James, Jr. and Robert Bridger, and sister Henrietta Miller.

He retired in 1987 as a salesman from Hochstetler Construction Co. in Nappanee. Previously he owned Elkhart Stereo, and Main Sewing Center in Elkhart. He was a member of Northside Baptist Church, and was an avid clock and watch collector for 30 years, enjoying hunting, fishing, gardening and bird watching.

Friends may visit the family Sunday from 2 to 6 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home at Cobblestone Crossing, Elkhart and one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home 1 pm Monday. Pastor Carl Henry will officiate. Burial will be at Carleton Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to American Lung, American Cancer or Northside Baptist Church Building Fund. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.