Eugene "Gene" Francis Tomash, 74, of Solon, died Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon.  Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  Brosh Chapel in Solon is handling the arrangements.

Eugene was born August 28, 1943 on a farm to Elmer and Elsie (Swenka) Tomash near Oxford.  He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1963 and started working at Allis Chambers/Harnischfeger until he was drafted into the Army and stationed at Ft. Bliss then Ft. Hood in Texas.  After serving, he went back to work at Harnischfeger for 27 years until they moved out of state.  He then worked at the Johnson County Sheriff's Department from 1990-2010.  In addition, he also farmed after returning from service until his death.  He was active in the Johnson County Sheep Producers and president for many years and also helped each summer at the 4-H Fair.  In past years he was on the Solon St. Mary Parish Council and an ASC Committee member.

Gene enjoyed life on the farm and the outdoors but his greatest passion was spending time with his family.  His grandkids were very dear to his heart.  He also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing cards, going to farm auctions, raising livestock and all the time spent at the 4-H Fair.  Gene always enjoyed a good time with friends and was a wonderful dancer.  He loved to hear people laugh and was always ready with a joke.

Gene married Leann Ulch on September 30, 1966 at St. Mary's in Oxford, they were married for over 51 years.  Their children are Kristine Tomash (Ed Meyer) of Iowa City, Jennifer Tomash (friend Grant Gardner) of Iowa City, and Alex (Jessica) Tomash of Jesup; two grandchildren Bohdan and Elsie Tomash; his sisters Marvel Jean (Richard) Janko of Cedar Rapids, Karen (Joe) Steffens of Cedar Rapids, Jerilyn (Mike) Dougherty of Oxford, Kathy (Steve) Crow of North Liberty, and Denise Pearson of North Liberty, as well as many aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elaine (Ken) Summer and father and mother-in-law George and Sylvia Ulch.

Memorials may be directed to the family.