Eugene Harry Clapsaddle

Eugene Harry Clapsaddle, 77, of Eagle River went to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 26, 2025.  

Gene was born in Belvidere and raised in Cherry Valley, Ill. to the late Glenn and Shirley (Baxter) Clapsaddle on September 5, 1947. He spent his summers in Northern Wisconsin with his grandparents, George and Ruth Blackmere, who taught him the love of hunting and fishing, as well as dancing. Gene was smooth on the dance floor having taken Arthur Murray dance classes.   

When Gene was 20 years old, the Army drafted him to Korea in 1968 where he served in the 1st Battalion 15th Artillery returning home in July 1970.

In 1978 he met Ronetta Smith and in the summer of 1983, they eloped to Vegas and made Tipler, Wis. their home for over 30 years. They made the move to Eagle River in 2020. They had their only daughter, Ashley, in 1984. Gene accepted Christ as his Savior in the late 1990s and became a faithful backrow Baptist. Gene provided for his family working for the Pine River Lumber Co. as an equipment operator for 33 years, retiring in 2009 where he was able to spend more time outdoors hunting and fishing. He was chosen to go on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to D.C. on his 75th birthday which truly was “The trip of a lifetime.”

He was a fun “Papa” to his three grandchildren, chasing them around the house and giving them four-wheeler rides.  

Gene is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ronetta Clapsaddle of Eagle River; daughter, Ashley (Cade) Halada of Rhinelander; grandchildren, Charlotte, Eliza Gene, and Cash Halada of Rhinelander; extended family and friends. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Long Lake Bible Church. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Dr. David Lovely to officiate.

Interment will be in Martin Cemetery, Tipler, in the spring. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Eugene Harry Clapsaddle online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com 

Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.