Ervin Eugene “Gene” Madden, 81, of North Vernon, passed away at 8:59 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born October 14, 1943, in Seymour, he was the son of the late Ervin Elonza Madden and Rosemary (Croucher) Smith. He married Nancy Millspaugh on December 3, 1972, at the Justice of the Peace in North Vernon; she survives.

Gene was a member of the last graduating class of Vernon High School in 1964. He worked as a machine operator for Cummins Engine Company in Columbus retiring after 30 plus years. He was a member of the National Bow Hunter Association, Vernon Baptist Church, Fish Creek Long Rifle Association, Boy Scout Leader – Beaver/Wood Badge and the Shooting Coach and Director at Camp Maumee, he also was an archery coach for the Archery Club at North Vernon Elementary. Gene enjoyed hunting especially bow, fishing, painting, building and fabricating guns and knives, working on cars, watching movies and playing euchre. He was a very artistic person who liked sculpting. Gene was also a big Bobby Knight fan and loved his camo hats.

Surviving with his wife of 52 years, Nancy, are his children, Tammy (Jon) Madden-Lueders of North Vernon, Robin (Jeff) Spicer of Commiskey, Melisa “Missi” (John) Millspaugh-Maschino of North Vernon, Ervin Edward “Eddie” Madden of Elizabethtown, and Michael (Katie) Madden of Vernon; brothers, Ernie Smith of Columbus and Bobby (Becky) Smith of Seymour; sisters, Carolyn Harter and Brenda Marcott, both of Seymour and Kathy (Kenny) Gregory of North Vernon; grandchildren, Emily, John, Klayton, Gabe, Tim, Sarah, Ashley, Tyler, Averie, Malerie, Laremie, Delaynie, Kamberie, Braxley, Eayon, Sydney, Xaiver, Zander, Wyatt, Wrenley and Onyxia; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather who raised him, Asa Smith; and sister, Patsy Graff.

A funeral service for Gene will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service with Rev. Dan Corbin officiating. The visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, and one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

Memorials may be made in honor of Gene through the funeral home to Boy Scout’s Units, 532, 541, and 514.