Forrest E. "Gene" Buckley

Forrest Eugene “Gene” Buckley, 91, of Bettendorf, Iowa, entered the portals of heaven on January 24, 2024 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

A private family service followed by burial at the Rock Island National Cemetery will be held.  McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born in Clark County, Missouri in 1933 to Frank and Bellma (Taylor) Buckley. Gene attended Wyaconda High School before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he served aboard the USS Evansville during the Korean Conflict. In 1957 Gene married Carolyn Jean Mullen in Keokuk, Iowa. They moved to the Quad Cities where Gene worked at Alcoa for 41 years as a maintenance/crane operator.

Gene was a loving husband to his wife of 66 years and fantastic father to his four daughters. He cherished spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Over the years he enjoyed coaching, golfing, camping, playing pool, and being a friend to many. After retirement Gene and Carolyn wintered in Texas for 12 years. He never met a stranger and will be remembered as a thoughtful, caring man who always had a song to sing or a great story to tell.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his daughters, Sherrie Hopkins, Terri (Tom) Kirkeeng, Debbie (Randy) Barnes, and Julia (Paul) Warner; 11 grandchildren, David (Sarah) Hopkins, Sarah (Jacob) Stansberry, Matt (Quyen) Kirkeeng, Audrey (Josh) Kromminga, Alyssa (Phil) Dohmen, Cassie (Gabe) Roe, Danielle (Brian) Greubel, Terra (Mike) Strother, Rebekah (Mark) Krikke, Jonathan (Danielle) Warner, Marcus (Veronica) Warner; 19 great-grandchildren; and 4 step-grandchildren, Trent, Tisha, Tiffany, and Tyson.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents.