Eugene Slaman

Eugene The Duke Slaman, age 84, was born July 20, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gene passed away peacefully the Lords House surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 3, 2012 after a long and courageously fought battle with heart disease while being cared for by loving hands at Ebeid Hospice Residence.Gene was a resident of Sylvania, Ohio and lived in Toledo, Ohio for 61 years after moving from Cedar Rapids to marry Juanita Slaman, his wife of 60 years. Gene was a draftsman for the Dana Corportation for 36 years and a member of Dana Tadra. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and he was an active and dedicated member of St. George Orthodox Cathedral for 60 years, where he and his wife made many life-long friends who became family. Gene loved woodworking-creating wooden treasures in his workshop- treasures his family will cherish. He loved summer trips to Cedar Rapids to spend time and relive memories with his own five siblings and their growing families. Genes first and primary love was making people laugh, never without his dossier of jokes, numbered with only the punch lines, tucked into a front shirt pocket. He could make anyone, young and old, smile in a heartbeat with those jokes. He loved poetry- a writer at heart- he wrote of the people and things he loved. Most of all, Gene loved his family, and he loved the Lord. He was truly a man of great faith. Gene was preceded in death by his dear mother and father, Selma and Salome Sam Slaman. He is survived by his wife, Juanita David Slaman; his five siblings, Mary Nassif, Michael Melana Slaman, Catherine Nick Abodeely, Matilda Slaman, and Floyd Marge Slaman; his two sons, David Tina Shaheen Slaman and Todd Joyce Slaman. He is dear Giddo to his grandchildren, Matthew Angel Slaman, Adam fiance, Kristen Atchley Slaman, Christie Mike Lukegord, and Brian Slaman, and he is proud great-Giddo to his great-granddaughter, Quinn Slaman. Gene is also survived by many special people who were family to him, including Carol Slaman, Cindy Tom Ritter, Jake Rachel Fuller, Dani Fuller, Jordan Fuller, Brenden Doran, and Tessa Helene Fuller, who will always think of Gene as her Giddo too. Additionally, Gene is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family and friends may call at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo, Ohio on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 2-9:00pm with a Trisagion Prayer Service at 7:30pm. There will also be visitation on Thursday from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 3754 Woodley Rd. Toledo, OH 43606. Interment will follow in Toledo Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Orthodox Cathedral. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.