Eugene M. (Gene) Faulkender, 81, Overland Park, Kansas, died January 4, 2012 at his home under the care of Odyssey Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 10am, Monday, January 9, 2012 at Trinity Baptist Church, 8820 W. 49th St. , Merriam, Kansas preceded by a visitation at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the church, Odyssey Hospice, 8735 Rosehill Road, Lenexa, KS 66215 or the American Lung Association. Gene was born April 8, 1930 in Riley, Kansas, son of Merle W. and Esther Helena Weide Faulkender. He graduated from Leonardville, KS High School and served in the US Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He married Lois L. James on May 11, 1951 in Clay Center, KS and they have lived in the Kansas City area since 1953. Gene was an auto mechanic and owned Guaranteed Auto from 1980 until his retirement. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, DeWayne. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois, sons Michael and Greg (Penny), daughter Sheri (Mark) Atwood, grandchildren Doug, Jamie, Jason, Jeremy, C. J. , Tommie, Justin and Sara, and great-grandchildren Christopher, Hannah and Emily.