Eugene R. Waltz, age 85, of Brookings, passed away Monday, October 29, 2007, at his residence. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, November 1, 2007, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Interment will follow later in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to McCrory Gardens. Eugene Royce Waltz was born March 15, 1922, at Brookings, South Dakota, to Perry Ward and Birdella (McKnight) Waltz. He attended schools in Brookings, graduating from high school in 1940. He graduated from South Dakota State College in 1943 and attended Western Michigan College in 1944. He served in the United States Marine Corps in Guam during World War II, and later in the Korean Conflict. On August 10, 1948, Gene married Jean Aarness. The couple made their home in Brookings, and owned and operated Waltz Hardware. Gene was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Elks, and Brookings Country Club. He served as president of the Brookings Chamber of Commerce and the Brookings Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, and walking. Survivors include his wife, Jean Waltz, of Brookings; a son, Randy (Karen) Waltz, of Brookings; a daughter, Sherry (Kevin) Ishol, of Brookings; a granddaughter, Katie Ishol; and a brother, Wayne (Ruth) Waltz, of Brookings. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Rex.