Gene Robert Hardekopf, age 63, of Irvington, Illinois, passed away at 12:25 P.M. on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at his home in Irvington, Illinois.  He was born August 24, 1952 in Centralia, Illinois, son of Leonard and Ruth (Beckmeyer) Hardekopf.

Mr. Hardekopf is survived by his cousins, Don Beckmeyer and wife Rebecca of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, David Beckmeyer and wife Janet of Irvington, Illinois, Don Hardekopf and wife Dixie of Dade City, Florida, Donna Washburn and husband John of Decatur, Illinois and Doris Cazier and husband Lynn of Nairobi, Kenya and many great cousins.

Mr. Hardekopf was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Hardekopf was a member of the First Baptist Church in Centralia, Illinois.  He was also a member of the Centralia Moose Family Center in Centralia, Illinois and Ruritan Club in Irvington, Illinois.

Mr. Hardekopf was an avid collector of eagles and movie dvds.  He was a fan of John Wayne.  He enjoyed hiking and backpacking in the Grand Canyon. He cherished the companionship of his cats.  He lived most of his life in Irvington, Illinois.

Mr. Hardehopf was a licensed insurance agent for Aflac and other insurance companies since 1992.  He was also a licensed travel agent.  He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 1976.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Pastor Rodger Randolph officiating.  Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Hardekopf's family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook.