CARBON HILL, Ill. — Mr. Gene Allen "Geno" Vandervort, 74, of Carbon Hill, Ill., passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2012.

Born Sept. 12, 1938, in Ottawa, Ill., Geno is a son of Gladys (Allen) Zacciginni of Marseilles and the late Earl "Red" Vandervort. He was raised and educated in Ottawa, and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.

Geno worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, Ill., from where he retired on July 1, 1998, after 36 years of service. He was a former professional bowler, who enjoyed golfing and vegetable gardening. Geno loved his four-legged companion Butterball, and moreover cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.