Gene Modreske, longtime owner and manager of the Wayland Chrysler dealership just north of the city limits, died Monday. He was 78.

Gene was owner of Wayland Chrysler for more than 35 years. He started there washing cars and was in the building working for Adward Alflen & Sons and helped grow the business for more than 60 years.

His love for the Wyoming mountains moved him to build a cabin there.

Gene is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary (Gardner) Modreske, his daughter Roxanne (Modreske) and Kenneth Keyzer, grandchildren Cassandra (Keyzer), Eric Young and Christopher and Bobbi (Hyde) Keyzer were the light of his life. He was blessed with four great grandchildren, Rilyn Keyzer, Joey Young, Chelsea Young and Madalynn Young.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and LilIian Modreske, brother Henry Modreske, Adeline (Modreske) and Ronald Hines as well as MaryAnn (Modreske) Sevigny.

Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Gun Lake, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Gene & Mary’s favorite charities. National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Association, PO Box 1435, Dubois, WY 82513. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Spectrum Health Foundation, 100 Michigan St., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or Wayland Area Ambulance, 911 South Main St., Wayland, Ml 49348.