WELLS, GENE E.

Gene Earl Wells, 85, of Great Falls, a decorated World War II Marine Corps veteran and former salesman, died of natural causes Sunday [August 29, 2010] at a local care facility.

At his request, no services are planned. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Gene was born March 11, 1925, in Union, Ore., to Jessie (Hewitson) and Robert Wells. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on Feb. 27, 1943, at the age of 17, to fight in World War II. He fought on Guadalcanal, New Caledonia, Okinawa and Guam. He was wounded on Okinawa and received the Purple Heart.

Gene worked in the meat business for many years, making many friends throughout Oregon, where he lived most of his life.

He was a lifetime member of the Elks Club, and loved spending time with his family, especially his wife and his twin brother, Dean.

Survivors include his wife, Jacquline Wells of Great Falls; a daughter, Sandra (Rob) Nylund of Ulm; a sister, Mary Edwards of Spokane, Wash.; brothers Dean Wells of Wilsonville, Ore., and Robert Wells of Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren, Annie Nylund Brown and Clay Nylund; and one great-grandchild, Isabel Brown.