Eugene "Gene" J. Desaunoy, 89, of Milan, passed away Thursday November 24, 2016 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am Friday December 2, 2016 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan. Visitation will be from 3:30-7:00pm Thursday at

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan, with a rosary recited at 3:00pm followed by the Father Edward J. Bader Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus chalice ceremony. Memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Church or St. Ambrose Knights of Columbus.

Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum, Rock Island, with Military Honors by American Legion Post 569/200 and VFW 1303.

Gene was born on April 30, 1927 in Rock Island the son of John and Elizabeth (Coene) Desaunoy.

Mr. Desaunoy was a United Sates Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He had been employed as a sales representative for John Hancock Insurance for 24 years, retiring in 1988. He had previously worked at Fuller Brush Company.

Mr. Desaunoy enjoyed growing gladiolas, gardening, golf, listen to classical music and attend family events with his nieces and nephews.

Gene had been a parishioner of St. Ambrose Church, Milan for over 80 years. During that time he served as a extraordinary minister since 1978, lector for over 24 years, member of the parish council, choir and brought communion to hospital patients and shut-ins. His other memberships include St. Ambrose Knights of Columbus Council 12576, Legion of Mary at St. Ambrose, Pope John XXIII Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans and the Milan American Legion Post 569.  Mr. Desaunoy received the Pere Marquette Award from the Diocese of Peoria.

Eugene is survived by his sister, Mary (Ken) Galusha, Rock Island; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Margaret Peebler and Barbara Cover.