Obituary: Schalock, Gene A.
Age 80
(Age 80) Passed away September 6th 2013 at Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Gene lived most of his life in Chewelah, born in St. Joseph Hospital October 4, 1932.
He attended Chewelah Grade School, Chewelah Jr. High School and graduated from Jenkins High School in 1950.
Gene was the son of Hank E. Schalock and Elma M. Schalock, brother to Delbert H. Schalock, Gail Schalock Gumm, and Robert L. Schalock.
Gene loved sports playing football, basketball, baseball, track and snow skiing.
Lettering in all four school sports and skiing Chewelah Mountain any chance he got.
He remembered getting rides up to the mountain with neighbors and skiing the mountain, then the last run was skiing all the way home.
His love of sports and competing followed him throughout his life.
He played community league softball for the Chewelah Fireman in Chewelah and in Spokane for many years and he was always proud to follow his children and grandchildren’s sports careers.
He married the love of his life, Nancy Carroll Hall January 28, 1950.
They married during one of the worst winters on record, and they made their home in Chewelah.
Gene worked at Chalmers Auto and the Chewelah Magnisite Co. before moving to Coulee City to work on the Dam.
Gene was burned on the face and shoulders from falling hot bricks, while working in a large furnace and after recuperation from the accident they returned to Chewelah to work again at the Magnisite Plant.
In 1954 there were layoffs at the plant and Gene was looking for work.
He found a job in Spokane working for Jensen Byrd Co. as a dept.
manager.
He remembered having difficulty with another manager and called it” The Russian vs.
The German”.
In 1956, a foreman’s position opened up at the Plant in Chewelah and it was offered to Gene.
He and his family, wife Nancy, daughter Wanda and son Steve.
The family returned to their hometown where he and Nancy had their third child, son Kevin and where Gene lived out the rest of his life.
Gene worked for the Magnisite plant until its close in 1968 where he ended his work there as the assistant superintendent.
He turned down job offers made by the Plant to stay and help re-build the economic base in Chewelah.
Gene bought a small insurance agency from Bill and Mary Cox in January 1969 and Chewelah Insurance Agency is still family owned.
Gene returned to work each day for a few hours up until the day of his death.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Nancy Carroll Hall Schalock (May 21, 2013), his mother and father and older brother Delbert Schalock.
He is survived by daughter; Wanda Schalock Rains (Bob), son’s; Steve Schalock (Rhonda), and Kevin Schalock (Julie).
Grandchildren; Ryan Berendsen, Hunter Rains (Alex), Tyson Schalock (Christie), Ashley Schalock, Evan Schalock (Amanda), and Kelsey Schalock.
Great grandchildren; Ilyhn Berendsen, James Berendsen, Serene Berendsen, Kailani Rains, Braden Schalock.
Sister; Gail Schalock Gumm (Phillip), Joyce Schalock, Betty Hall Chalmers, Adrienne Raber Hall, brother; Robert (Pete) Schalock (Susan), and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial honoring Gene’s life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Chewelah Golf and Country Club with a reception to follow.
Pastor Ashley Watson officiating.
Honorary urn bearers will be his grandchildren.
If one so wishes, memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s name to the Chewelah Golf and Country Club, 49 Degrees North or the institution of your choice.
A life well lived.
Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.
Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 155 West First Avenue, Colville, WA 99114 has been entrusted with the arrangements.