Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Eugene Vincent Zilch passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Born July 27, 1925, he celebrated his 100th birthday this past summer. Gene has been the beloved husband and best friend of the late Rosemary Zilch for nearly 78 years.
Loving father of the late Stephen Zilch (Linda), Marian Love (Allen), Jane Zilch, Paul Zilch (Kim), Susan Self-Portwine (Derek), Karen Dolan, and John Zilch (Nikki); dearest brother of the late Marguerite Spellmeyer (Henry), Hugh “Pete” Zilch (Joan), Rita Fawcett (Joseph), and Gerald “Gerry” (Helen) Zilch; brother-in-law of the late Joseph Weissenberg and of Thomas Weissenberg; grandfather of Andy (Sarita) and Tom (Yael) Zilch, Brian (Shelli) and Joe (Mary) Love, Matthew and Stephen Zilch, Kayte Calhoun (Ryan) Catlyn Ruder (Mason) and Miranda Portwine (Matt), and Claire Tomasiak (Nick); great-grandfather of Maya and Nora, Everett, Sydney Allie Kaitlyn and Kevin, Megan and Lexie, Gage Zoey Ruthie Tess and Miles, Silas Rowan and Iris, Tilly and Severin, Chase Shelby Drew and Beckett; great-great-grandfather of five; uncle, cousin, and friend.
Gene (‘don’t call me Eugene’) was a man of deep faith who loved baseball, hockey (in baseball’s off-season), the Rep, listening to legal thriller fiction, and Saturday morning coffee with friends. He was the extremely proud father of his large and boisterous family, to whom he devoted himself: he made Sunday morning breakfast–eggs to order and scratch biscuits–every week, worked three jobs at times, and repaired the household appliances more often than he could count. An alum of McBride High School, he took pride in his wartime service in the US Navy. Gene and Rosemary’s great gift to their children – in addition to a wry sense of humor – was a set of strong values: family, faith, education, self worth, giving back, compassion and tolerance. Their living legacy is a family that is close, loving and supportive.
In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate your support of St. Agnes Home (www.stagneshome.com) or the McBride High School Alumni Fund (mcbridealumni.com).
Services: Mass on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00am in the chapel at St. Agnes Home, 10341 Manchester, Kirkwood, MO. Visitation and luncheon immediately after Mass in the social hall at St. Agnes Home.