Eugene "Gene" Donald Shawley, 79, of La Porte, IN, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Northwest Health-La Porte.

He was born on December 14, 1946, in Michigan City, IN, to Donald E. Shawley and Jessie "Alvina" (Lauer) Korner.

Gene is survived by the love of his life, Vada Kray of La Porte; 5 children, Melisa (Brian) Hardin of Lawrenceburg, KY, Kristen (Lysle) Shields of Huntsville, AL, Kelley (James) Blevins of Mount Pleasant, TX, Clayton (Patricia) Asbury of Niles, MI and, Ericka (Matthew) Lancaster of Gibraltar, MI; 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews, who will remember him fondly as "Uncle Gene".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Shawley and Alvina Korner; beloved stepfather, James Korner; and sister, Donna King.

Gene worked as an electrician and an instrumentation technician at many places. He retired from New Energy in South Bend. He enjoyed automobiles, boating, and racing.

He honorably served in the United States Navy aboard the destroyer Sampson and the nuclear submarine USS James Monroe for 8 years, stationed at Pearl Harbor.

A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. Cremation will take place following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran's Center, 747 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.