GENE  EDWARD  BILNEY , 72 of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022 at his residence at The Beck following a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.  The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cherokee Hospice. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Gene was born on September 23, 1949 at Plainview, Nebraska to William & Betty Jean (Meikle) Bilney. He graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1968. He then attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa from 1972- 1974. He then took a position with the Science and Technology Library at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Gene completed his Master's Degree in Library Science, English Literature and minor in Theology.

Gene was affiliated with the Methodist Church. He enjoyed walking, travel, collecting books, genealogy, watching movies, going to antique sales, and listening to audio books. He loved the beauty of nature and was very proud of his English and Scottish family history. His family and friends will miss his dry sense of humor and unique personality.

He was preceded in death by his father William Bilney.

He is survived by his mother Betty Bilney of Cherokee, Iowa; his siblings: Michael (Camille) Bilney of Arvada, Colorado; Deborah (Dennis) Bush of Cherokee, Iowa; Richard Bilney of Redding, California; Kathy (Rick) Geringer of Wheatland, Wyoming; Eric (Lora) Bilney of Terril, Iowa; and a large multi-generational extended family.