In sadness we share that Gene R. Deisz, age 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026. Gene was born on December 13, 1936, in DeKalb, Illinois.  He grew up in both DeKalb and Sycamore and graduated from DeKalb High School in 1955.  

Following high school Gene enlisted in the Navy and served as a helicopter sonarman flying off the USS Hornet and the USS Yorktown.  Gene was very patriotic and proud of his military service and that of his father and brothers.  He was stationed in San Diego, California, where he met Margaret in August 1959.  They were engaged December 1959 and married April 1960.  Upon Gene’s discharge from the Navy, Gene and Margaret moved to Sycamore where they raised three children.

Gene owned and operated Illini Security Systems, along with his wife Margaret, for 36 years.  He loved music and dancing, fishing, and played hockey until he was 60.  Gene also loved animals and enjoyed training their dogs.  He was a natural storyteller who had a gift for making people smile. Gene had great appreciation for his Norwegian heritage and was a devoted student of history.  He enjoyed sharing stories and remembering the stories of others. A community-oriented man, Gene belonged to many service organizations, among which were DeKalb Rotary Club where he served as president, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and had 34 years of perfect attendance, DeKalb County Shrine Club, DeKalb Masonic Lodge No. 144 where he was a Master Mason serving for 50 years and a life member, American Legion Post 66, DeKalb Elks Club, Sycamore Moose, and Illinois Sheriffs’ Association.

Gene knew no strangers and was a friend to many.  Above all, he cared deeply about his family, who were always at the center of his life.  

Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret; his children, Daniel (Jennifer Greene) Deisz of McLean, Virginia, June (Daniel) Stearns of Batavia, Illinois, and David (Cheryl) Deisz of Batavia, Illinois; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, mother, and stepmother, Alf M. Deisz, Edna M. Deisz, and Clara W. Deisz, and his siblings, Langdon Chandler, Robert Chandler, Eleanor Tainio, Donald Deisz, and Harriet Pride.

On August 7, 2026, there will be a Celebration of Life from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, with a brief sharing of stories and memories at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in memory of Gene R. Deisz to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/loveshriners or Tails Humane Society  https://tailshumanesociety.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate
 
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.