Gene Joseph Cohen

June 24, 1918 - February 19, 2013

Eugene J. Cohen, 94, of Overland Park, KS, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at Village Shalom. Graveside services will be at 11:00am Wednesday, February 20, at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner Synagogue, Village Shalom or a charity of one’s choice. Mr. Cohen was born June 24, 1918 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Harry S. and Anna (Shapiro) Cohen, was a lifelong area resident, attended Kansas City Schools and was a graduate of Central High School. He met his wife of 67 years, Clara, the love of his life, in Dallas, TX while going through basic training. Mr. Cohen was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in Northern France and the Normandy Campaign, and obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. During the 1945 U.S. Army push towards Cologne, he was wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart. After serving his country, he owned and operated Gene Cohen Typographer, from 1946 to January, 1986. He was a member of Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner Synagogue and an associate member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, was a member and past master of Heroine Lodge #104, and was a member of B’nai B’rith and the Jewish War Veterans. Mr. Cohen was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara Cohen in 2010 and a sister, Pearl Rothschild. He is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law: Ben Cohen, Kansas City, MO; Sholom and Bryna Cohen, Pittsburgh, PA; daughter: Debbie Cohen Entine, Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Avraham and Dalya Cohen; Chaim and Tzipporah Cohen, Mendy and Chanie Cohen, Yisroel and Rishi Cohen, Nechama Dina and Moshe Wiener, Sara Leah and Eli Stiefel, Mushkie Cohen and 19 great-grandchildren. Mr. Cohen had a long and wonderful life. Gene will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.