STEWART, Gene Edward - b. April 17, 1939 - d. September 17, 2026

[patyrn]

Gene Edward Stewart, age 87, of Belknap in rural Chautauqua County, Kansas, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026.  He was born at home on April 17, 1939 to William Harold and Berniece (Keplinger) Stewart. Gene was the fourth generation to live on the family's Belknap farm that was homesteaded in 1873.

Gene attended Belknap rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Sedan High School in Sedan, Kansas in 1957 where he was a track letterman and active in Glee Club and FFA.  On November 17, 1963, he married Joyce Elaine Mattocks in Wauneta, Kansas.  To this 62-year marriage two sons were born, Mark and Brian.  Gene was extremely proud of their accomplishments.

Gene was a lifelong resident of Chautauqua County where he was a farmer and rancher.  He and Elaine made their home on the family farm in Belknap, one and a half miles from the home he grew up in.  Gene was a rarity in that he never worked for another person - he was the definition of self-made and independent.  He was an active member of the Belknap Community Church.

Gene loved dancing, a good rodeo, an auction, and visiting with anyone, anywhere, anytime, whether he knew you or not.  If he wasn't your friend, he would be shortly.  He was adept at almost everything as all farmers must be.  Gene was the "go-to" for local knowledge and history, and his shop was lovingly referred to as the Belknap Hardware Store.  If a neighbor needed a part for a repair, Gene probably had it and knew exactly where to go to get it.  He loved to travel and was especially fond of driving to the mountains or visiting Nashville, Tennessee on vacation.  A favorite pastime was watching his boys and then his grandchildren at their sporting events.  On any given evening, you could expect to find him and Elaine at the game in either Sedan or Howard.  It was especially convenient when they played each other and he could watch everyone at the same time, always cheering for both sides.

Gene is survived by his wife, Elaine; his sons, Mark (Rebecca) Stewart and Brian (Brook) Stewart; his grandchildren, Ellie (Jacob) Currence, Emma Stewart, Tate Stewart, Luke Hart, Brian Hart, Miles Stewart, and Allison Stewart; and one great-granddaughter, Annalise Currence.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William C. "Billy" Stewart.

Graveside services took place on September 22, 2026 at the Belknap Cemetery.  The family requests memorial donations to The Blue Devil Foundation or the West Elk Booster Club.  Dickens Family Funeral Home,  209 N. Douglas Street, Sedan, Kansas 67361 was in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Dickens Family Funeral Home website)