Gene Lee Carlisle

MONONA-Gene Carlisle, age 67, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, from a long history of heart problems. He was born on Oct. 6, 1948, to Phyllis and Carl Carlisle of Madison. Gene graduated from East High School in 1966. From 1960-1968, he was a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Gene served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1972. During this time he served with the First Force Recon Marines, FMF 2nd Marine Division in Viet Nam as a Field Medical Service Technician (Corpsman) where he earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for service to his country. Those whom Gene served with respected him. On May 2, 1986, Gene married his soulmate, Terrie Berigan, and they combined their families as one, raising six children together. He joined the Monona Police Department in August 1972, serving as Police Officer and Detective, until his departure in December 1995 due to heart problems. Gene then worked for Loomis Armored as an armed collections and truck driver for two years. He was placed on permanent disability and spent years on the heart transplant list, but fortunately never needed it. Gene was a life-member and past commander of the American Legion Post No. 553, a life-member of the VFW No. 7591, and a long-time member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and St. Williams Catholic Church in Janesville. Gene is survived by his wife of 29 years; his six children, Jason (Kim Curtis-Carlisle and her daughter, Michaela); Travis (Beth) Carlisle and their three sons, Maxson, Cooper and Jace; April Carlisle (Dan Marks) and their son, Brodie; Joseph (Deirdre) Carlisle and their children, Jordi and Mila; Garrett Carlisle; and Morgan Carlisle ( Mike Reiman) and their children, Jillian and Camryn. Gene loved his children deeply and his grandchildren were the absolute joys of his life. Gene is also survived by his parents; his siblings, Nancy (Gary) Locke, Rick Carlisle (Elizabeth Williams), David Carlisle (Jeannine Lund-Carlisle) and Bill (Monica) Carlisle; aunt, Pat (Gabe) Colombe; uncles, Dick (Mar) Hodges and Donald (Erva) Chisman; special niece, Elizabeth Carlisle; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He is further survived by many other very good friends and "family" including his many "other children" who, though not related by blood, were so much a part of his life. Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents, Erv Hodges, Delores Chisman, and Otis and Grace Carlisle; his parents-in-law, Chuck and Elaine Berigan; his "second parents", Juanita and Len McGinnis; and his uncle, Keith (Dutchie) Chisman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, with Fr. John Silva presiding. Entombment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park with military rites. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Gene was hospitalized countless times throughout his disability, but always faced each new "condition" with courage and unwavering faith, as well as offering "comic relief" to all his health care providers. He brought joy and inspiration to many people! The family wishes to thank Drs. Shropshire, Musser and Wright, along with all health care providers at Meriter and VA Hospitals, and VA Hospice. After glow: I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done. ~Author Unknown.  Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420