Eugene "Gene" Poynter

Eugene Poynter, 93, beloved husband of the late Beverly Maxwell Poynter and father of Terry Bahner, Bruce (Linda) Poynter, Brent (Sandy) Poynter and Greg (Brenda) Poynter, passed away on April 15, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stephanie (Jerry) Heise, Nathan (Nancy Jones) Bahner, Ryan Poynter, Rachel Poynter, Emily Poynter and Christopher Poynter, great-grandchildren Max, Sam and Lilly Heise, and siblings Frances McDaniel, Glenda Green, Loretta (Jim) Horn and Jack (Pernie) Poynter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Mollie (Bingham) Poynter, and siblings James Irsley Poynter, Ada Durham, Verna Back, Edward Poynter and Marie Poynter.

Gene was a proud member of the Army Air Force during WWII, enlisting prior to graduating from high school. He was an airplane and engine mechanic, attaining the rank of sergeant. He became a card-carrying member of The Goldfish Club, an organization for people who have survived aircraft crashing in water. On January 20, 1946, Gene flew as a flight engineer aboard a C-47 carrying USO dancers and the Sharon Rogers All-Girl Band. After encountering severe weather during most of their flight to Japan that day, the plane crash-landed into the Straits of Shimonoseki. They were rescued by Japanese fishermen. He was thrilled to have recently reconnected with two of the USO performers who were with him that day.

Upon his return to the United States, Gene finished high school and went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from Hanover College and his Master of Education degree from Indiana University. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Gene taught in the nursing program at the University of Cincinnati prior to teaching general science, physiology and microbiology classes at Oak Hills High School from 1961 - 1986. He was the golf coach at Oak Hills for 18 years. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling, golf, and playing duplicate bridge with Bev, earning their Life Masters together.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life which will be held on Saturday, July 31 on what would have been Gene’s 95th birthday at the OTS Hall, 913 Lebanon St., Monroe, OH (exit 29 off I-75) from 1-5 pm. A luncheon will be provided.

Memorial donations may be made to The ACE Fund, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, 225 Britton Lane, Monroe, OH 45050, the American Heart Association, or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Condolences may be offered at www.avancefuneralhome.com

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