David Eugene "Gene" Easterla of Osage Beach, died at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2006, at Lake Ozark Retirement Center, Osage Beach, MO. He was born in Hamilton, MO, on November 13, 1910, the sixth of eight children of Gus and Nancy (Blair) Easterla. He spent his early life in Kansas City, MO. At a roller skating rink where he was a champion racer and hockey player, he met Hattie V. Wolf. They were married on October 9, 1933, and enjoyed 72 ½ years together.

Gene worked at General Motors in Leeds, MO, for many years and during World War II did overhead welding on invasion barges at K.C. Structural Steel Company, and later worked in the Tool and Die Department when General Motors converted their Leeds plant to making artillery shells.

In 1948 Gene and family moved to the Lake of the Ozarks where they built and operated Gentle Slopes Resort on the Millcreek Arm of the Lake for 25 years. He was director in the Lake of the Ozarks Association for many years.

Gene accepted the Lord as his Savior while in his teens and continued active as deacon and elder in the churches where they lived.

Gene and Hattie moved to Salida, CO, for 6 ½ years, coming back to the lake area in 1978 where they bought property at Edith on the Tunnel Dam Road (U Road) and lived there until 1999 at which time they moved to Ozark Meadows Retirement Center.

For many years Gene visualized starting a New Testament Church and in 1986 Gene and Hattie, with two couples from New Tribes Mission, started meeting in their homes with other believers. They bought property at Highway 54 W and D Road and built Bridgeway Chapel. In 1991 the congregation was dissolved and the building acquired by Graceland Church. Gene and Hattie continued to be active in Graceland Church until Gene's health failed.

Gene was an outdoorsman—loved to fish, hunt, and ride his horses. He always enjoyed having a big garden until they moved to Ozark Meadows.

His parents and seven brothers and sisters are deceased.

Survivors include his wife, Hattie, of the home; two sons, Dr. David A. Easterla and wife, Debbie of Maryville, MO, and Richard A. Easterla and wife, Debbie of Lake Ozark, MO; two grandsons, David James Easterla and Todd B. Easterla both of Sacramento, CA; two step granddaughters, Dawn Atchley and husband, Les of Chouteau, OK, and Tiffany Reynolds of Eldon, MO; two great-grandchildren, Tanner and Tayla Easterla both of Sacramento, CA; five step great-grandchildren; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3 at Graceland Church of Camdenton, MO. Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Rev. Jeffrey Hon and Bob King officiating. Interment will be in Garber Memorial Estates in Laurie, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to New Tribes Mission, Sanford, FL, or Graceland Church, Camdenton, in memory of David E. Easterla.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia, MO.