Vernon Gene Little

Vernon “Little Gene” Little, 87, of New Philadelphia, passed peacefully August 21, 2018 in Union Hospital at Dover following a lengthy battle with kidney and heart failure.

Born in Newcomerstown, Gene was the son of the late Louis A. and Ada I. McKinney Little and a 1950 graduate of Newcomerstown High School. A lifelong plumber and master electrician, Gene retired in 1998 from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District where he served as chief of watershed maintenance for 25 years.

A friend and helper to everyone, Gene’s hands were never idle for very long. As a teenager, he provided electrical service for his mother’s household before electrical lines came to the area. He was an inventive fabricator and woodworker of many “one of a kind” projects, often for family and friends. Gene’s most recognizable and proudest creation was “Little’s All-American Doughnuts” and Little’s All-American Hot Dogs” Concession Stands, which served Tuscarawas and Guernsey County fairgoers doughnuts and coney dogs for over 40 years.

Gene is survived by his wife, the former Norma Jean Riley, with whom he celebrated 67 years of marriage. Also surviving are a brother, John E. Little of Port Washington and a granddaughter, Brandy A. Little of Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to his parents, a son, Richard Allen Little and a sister, Melva Williams are also deceased.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 27, 2018 at 10:30 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia with Pastor Larry Fletcher officiating. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery at Newcomerstown. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 5 to 8 PM in the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.