Gene L. Lightner

Gene L. Lightner, of Ligonier, passed away on July 28, 2024 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Gene was born in Ohio to Leo F. And Margaret Rose (Toth) Lightner. He graduated from John Carroll University with a B.A. in business. He later obtained his Masters degree from the University of St. Francis. He met and married Elizabeth Arnold, of Fort Wayne,  at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, where they were both working as college students. Their wedding was a race against his ship-out date to Vietnam, where he served with men who would become lifelong friends.

His professional career began at Dun & Bradstreet, where he worked for ten years before transitioning to the field of education. Gene taught for eight years at Hamilton Community Schools and then another thirteen at West Noble, where he eventually retired.

His teaching spanned various subjects including: U.S. History, World History, psychology, economics, and a work-study program. Gene loved his students, and coached them; not only in basketball, football, track, and cross country, but in the art of lifelong learning. He was a passionate educator who had the ability to impart great life lessons with and even without the use of words. Gene was a “doer” who led by example, and that example frequently inspired others to follow suit. While serious about education, Gene had an appreciation for occasional shenanigans and harmless pranks: both from, and with his students. In one instance: “He was not upset to discover that his home had been “TP’ed”, but amusingly puzzled that they had sprung for the cost of Charmin.” In another, he orchestrated the ‘disappearance’ of a new teacher’s entire class while he was ‘called away to the office’ on ‘serious business’.

He lived a life full of activities and adventures. A lifelong runner, often in his trademark flag shorts, he completed multiple marathons; culminating with the Boston Marathon in 1997 - at the age of 57. Gene had a passion for nature and for community service, often blending the two. He volunteered at Merry Lea Environmental Learning, and served as a board member of the Elkhart River Restoration Association.

Gene spent many years as a sort of ‘guardian’ of the Elkhart River. He worked to keep the river navigable by opening log jams, emphasizing that there are environmentally sustainable ways of doing so. After clearing the path, he pioneered the removal of trash from the river: first as an individual, and eventually through the community-wide effort of “Operation Foundation.” Over his years he facilitated the removal of over 800 tires, numerous batteries, refrigerators, mattresses, and other trash from the river.

Adventure was in Gene’s blood. He hiked the Appalachian Trail over a series of trips, and completed what was called “The River Odyssey" by he and his longtime friend Chuck Schlemmer. The River Odyssey, completed in canoes, began in Toledo, Ohio, at the mouth of the Maumee River. The two friends paddled the Maumee to Fort Wayne, and then the Little River to Prophetstown, where they eventually joined the Ohio River. Gene also enjoyed wilderness camping and canoeing in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, Ontario. His many travels took him all around the world: He made trips to North and South Vietnam (where he had served in the US Army from 1965-66), Hong Kong, Europe, Cuba, The Galapagos, Ecuador, and Belize.

Gene will be missed dearly by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Lightner; their daughters,  Jennifer (Monte) Mawhorter and Melinda Lightner; grandchildren, Erik, Erin (Draven Rasler), Kyle, and Emily Mawhorter, and Cody (Michaela Oaks) Worman.

As a final act of generosity, and homage to his commitment to education, Gene donated his body to science. In keeping with his wishes, no services or public visitation are planned. The family will celebrate his life privately in a unique and fitting way. You can best honor Gene’s memory by passing on a lesson he taught you, taking the time to listen to someone’s story, or going on the trip you’ve been thinking about, but not fully committed to.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center or The Elkhart River Restoration Association. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.