Gene Earner, 93,
Evergreen Park's Eugene 'Gene' Earner donated to his boyhood schools and in the twilight of his life continued to host SRO parties for all.
By Bill Figel, Neighbor
Gene Earner considered himself the wealthiest man in the world.
The Evergreen Park resident measured his wealth the way the Bible taught: “good deeds will last forever” and so, likely, will references to Mr. Earner’s kindness and deeds.
Gene Earner (Center) surrounded by the Earner family in the seat in life he was most proud to take.
The many recipients of those good deeds gathered in earnest for a Memorial Visitation Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at Most Holy Redeemer Church.
Many in attendance will recall Earner’s spectacular annual parties at Clancy’s Pizza Pub in Oak Lawn, featuring special local entertainment for a crowded room of South Siders, who had tales to spin and hands to shake.
A man of significant measure in parishes and high schools around the community, Earner’s standing-room only gatherings spoke to what matters in his life – family, friends and a pat on the back for a job well done.
For seven decades, Eugene “Gene” Earner guided his family, donated to his boyhood schools and in the twilight of his life, looked back with a smile and a hearty laugh at himself. While others his age were hoping the phone rings, Earner was handing out tee shirts in December to his own party – a kind of entrance ticket to an exclusive shindig for those who “knew Gene” well.
In 2015, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and School Community celebrated its 140th anniversary of Catholic dedication to faith, tradition, service and excellence with “Eugene Earner as the Man of the Year.”
That September night, the parish hailed Gene for helping raise more than $500,000 orchestrating the “The Saint Patrick’s Party Reunion Fundraiser” which gained legendary status for its attendance and monies raised to help Father Daniel Mallette keep his parish thriving on 99th Street.
As the “Go-To” guy at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park, Gene put his organizational skills to use, again and again, running Saint Patrick’s Day Fundraisers while coaching MHR basketball, serving as president of both the Southwest Conference for grammar schools and the Athletic Association.
Gene’s attention to detail impacted thousands of young lives at the grade school level and filled uniforms at the high school level for years.
Gene’s “heart of a lion” belonged to his beloved Leo High School.
The 1950 graduate returned to become the “Voice of Leo” as the field announcer for football and a timekeeper for basketball.For a stretch, Gene’s very own granddaughters served as junior cheerleaders, suited up in orange and black for football and basketball.
Dan Stecich, president of Leo’s Alumni Association has had the support of Earner since he joined the Alumni Association decades ago.
“Gene Earner was one of the great gentlemen I’ve come across since getting involved in the Leo Alumni group,” said Stecich.“Despite the fact we are from completely different eras, the level of communication with Gene has always been seamless.”
Earner was proud of every path he took (or created) that brought him into a familiar spotlight with old friends and acquaintances.All 12 Earner children graduated from Catholic schools - six sons graduated from Leo. Earner was awarded with an early call to the Leo Hall of Fame, named Leo Man of the Year and honored with Leo’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Community Service Award.
Said son Jim Earner, the business manager at Leo: “Our dad’s devotion to service of both church and family motivated him to always look for ways to give back and say ‘Thank You’ to these schools he attended.”
According to his sons, the trait that impressed them the most was his work ethic.
For more than 20 years, Earner worked a physically demanding job delivering soft drinks for the A.J. Canfield Beverage Co., many times logging 80 hours a week or more just to provide the best for his wife and twelve children.
“There was never a question of cutting back on education when money was tight,” said Jim. “It’s a truly amazing accomplishment.”
In September of 2015 Earner shared the award spotlight with the ultra-wealthy and legendary Richard Driehaus. The study in contrasts was not lost on most as St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and School Community celebrated its 140th anniversary of Catholic dedication to faith, tradition, service and excellence.
Earner, known to his many friends as Gene, laughed aloud when he considered the implications of trying to match the monetary support of Driehouse, his fellow honoree and one of America’s most successful fund managers, businessmen and philanthropists, as well as former chairman of Driehaus Capital Management, LLC.
Earner’s longevity (Driehaus died March 9, 2021) may be linked to his massive heart.The 93 year-old was comfortable then with the path that brought him to the same podium as that of Mr. Driehaus.
Both Earner, 1946, and Driehaus, 1956, attended Saint Margaret of Scotland and both were honored for their “unconditional commitment and generosity” to the school and parish over six decades. While Driehaus’ financial support has been well documented to keep the lights on at Saint Margaret’s, it is quite likely Earner was the one climbing the ladder to screw in the light bulb!
Cliff Carlson, publisher of Irish American News remembered: "Gene was always helping the Irish and Irish entertainers get some attention that he thought was well deserved."
Official Obituary of Eugene Earner Age 93 Vet: U.S. Army
(June 2, 1932 – February 24, 2026) Prepared by Robert J. Sheehy & Sons
Beloved husband of the late Donna A. Earner (nee Merritt). Loving father of James (Kathleen), Thomas (Laura), Mary (Michael) Maloney, Terrence (Karen), Patricia (Raymond) Callahan, Richard, Daniel, Colleen, Joseph (Margaret), Timothy, Brian, and the late William. Cherished grandfather of 18 and great-grandfather of 28.
Proud son of the late George and Elsie Earner. Dear brother of the late Kenneth (the late Mary) Earner. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Very proud graduate of St. Margaret of Scotland Class of 1946 and Leo High School Class of 1950.
Member of Leo High School Hall of Fame and recipient of multiple alumni awards.
Former Field announcer and scorekeeper for 19 years at Leo High School,
Basketball coach and President of Most Holy Redeemer Grammar School Athletic Association, President and Co- Founder of Southwest Athletic Conference.
Player-Manager of Robbins Drugs 19th Ward Softball Champs. Longtime organizer of St. Patrick’s Day Fundraisers at St. Margaret of Scotland Church and Most Holy Redeemer Church. Avid golfer. Driver for 25 years at A.J. Canfield Beverage Company and proud member of Teamsters Local 744.
