Harold “Gene” Wilsey, of Sidney, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at the age of 89. Born October 22, 1936, in Sidney, Illinois, Gene was the son of Ross and Mabel (Ruffner) Wilsey. 

Gene graduated from Unity High School in Tolono in 1954, where he lettered in basketball and football. He remained a lifelong sports fan, proudly passing his love of the Fighting Illini on to his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and his favorite basketball player was Magic Johnson, whom he admired for his unselfish style of play. 

On December 1, 1956, Gene married the love of his life, Marcella Chloe Buckles. Together, they shared nearly 70 years of marriage and raised three children: Sandy Daniels (Denny), Gary Wilsey (Mandy), and Thomas Wilsey, all of Urbana. He was a proud grandfather to three grandsons: Brock Wilsey of Carmel, Indiana; Brant Wilsey of Nashville, Tennessee; and Kane Wilsey of West Lafayette, Indiana. 

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Mabel Wilsey, and his siblings, Clifford Wilsey, Ross Wilsey Jr., and Berdena Campbell. 

Gene was blessed to spend most of his life doing what he loved—farming. Outside of farming, he enjoyed family, friends, good food, and friendly competition. He loved playing euchre, Pollyanna, horseshoes, and later in life, cornhole. He and Marcella also enjoyed visiting casinos in Danville, Peoria, St. Louis, and Tunica, where he especially enjoyed video poker. 

Above all, Gene loved his family and life itself. He had a remarkable ability to focus on the good and bring that optimism to those around him. 

Perhaps the best way to describe Gene is that he never had a bad day—and if he did, he wouldn't have wanted to ruin someone else's. That was Gene. He believed in finding the good in life and lived that belief every day. 

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A life well lived.