UNIONVILLE
Eugene “Gene” A. Niednagel died peacefully at his home on beautiful Lake Lemon in Unionville, Indiana on September 14, 2024. He was 83 years old. Gene was born in Evansville, Indiana to parents Albert D. Niednagel and Mary Florence Niednagel Wilsbacher.
Gene attended high school in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, graduating in the class of 1958. He enjoyed boating and water skiing on the Ohio River and may have raced a few cars on the stretch of highway between Mt. Vernon and New Harmony. While in high school, Gene met the love of his life, his wife Donna Walton Niednagel who survives him. They were married in 1962.
Gene attended Evansville College majoring in English and Journalism. A guiding principle of Gene’s entire life’s work was his commitment to youth. He taught high school English at Harrison High School in Evansville for 10 years after graduation. He was also faculty advisor for the school newspaper. During summer breaks while teaching, he was camp director at Waycross and Hickory Hill camps from 1968-72. In 1972, Gene became a member of Bishop John P. Crane’s cabinet, and the family moved to Indianapolis. In that capacity Gene served the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis as youth director, editor of the Militant, the church newspaper, and as liaison to Waycross.
Gene and Donna then moved to Lebanon, Indiana where they managed and co-owned a furniture store for 10 years. Gene was active in the revitalization of downtown Lebanon in the 1980s.
In 1989, Gene accepted his favorite and the most rewarding job of his career as Executive Director at Waycross. He was instrumental in the Waycross Capital Campaign to build the 32 room Waycross Conference Center during his tenure. Gene had a positive impact on countless people’s lives during his time at Waycross with his wisdom, guidance, sense of humor, grace, and empathy. His steady loving guidance will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on in those people he impacted.
Gene was a very active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Bean Blossom, Indiana for decades. One of his many acts of service was helping establish the “commonbarium” in the Chapel Garden at St. David’s where the cremains of the deceased are interred together in a common resting place.
Gene was a member of the Lions Club of Brown County chairing the yearly Lion’s Scholarship Awards and the Annual Bean Blossom Parade.
In addition to his wife Donna, Gene is survived by his son Tim Niednagel (Ann), daughter Amalie Niednagel (Carla Rosebrock and children Kate and Avery), younger brother Harvey Niednagel (Tama), and grandchildren Jack, Mark and Sarah Niednagel. Gene is also survived by Kristina (Nickie) Curry and Jaden Fish for whom Gene and Donna were guardians.
A Celebration of Life service and Interment in the commonbarium will be held on Saturday October 12th at St. David’s Episcopal Church Bean Blossom, Indiana. Welcoming begins at 1:30 with the service at 2 pm. A reception will immediately follow in the Gathering Place at St. David’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation in Gene’s honor be made to Waycross Camp and Conference Center https://waycrossccc.org/donate or St. David’s Episcopal Church, Bean Blossom, Indiana https://stdavidsbb.org.
