Gene Pickett, 91, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 6:18 P.M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at White Oak Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Pickett was born on Saturday, July 19, 1919 in Jefferson County, Illinois the son of the late Barney and Pearl (Peyton) Pickett Jones. He married Ida Ghnell Pierce in Marion County, Illinois on April 10, 1948. Surviving family members include his wife of 62 years: Ghnell Pickett of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; brothers-in-law: Wilbert Pierce of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Calvin Pierce and wife Rena of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; sister-in-law: Wilma Campbell of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; several nieces and nephews also survive. His parents and his three sisters: Doris Iva Shields, Esterleigh Buttrum and Jeweldine Whittington preceded him in death. Gene volunteered for military service and was very proud of his four years serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he worked in the parts department for Holman Motors in Mt. Vernon and later owned and operated Fire Safety, Sales and Service in Mt. Vernon until retirement at age 68. He was also a member of the Methodist Faith. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, January 21, 2011 in the chapel at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Reverend Paul Widicus will officiate. INTERMENT: Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Wesley United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home, chapel or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.