Eugene Digman

Eugene G. “Gene” Digman, 88, of Platteville, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville, where military rites will be accorded by VFW Post #5274 and American Legion Post #42. Fr. John Blewett and Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville on Monday, March 5, 2018. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gene's name to St. Mary's Cemetery Fund or Grant County Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Gene was born on December 16, 1929, the eldest son of Aloys and Helen (Wagner) Digman, in Kieler, WI. Eugene attended St. Rose grade school in Cuba City, Wisconsin, and Platteville High School. After high school Gene worked as an auto mechanic for Brown Motor Co. in Cuba City. Gene was united in marriage to Darlene Timmerman on July 21, 1951 in Warner Robins, Georgia, while serving in the United States Air Force. She preceded him in death in July of 1982. While serving in Georgia, Gene served as a senior metals processor and worked on aircraft maintenance. He served in Japan during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953. Gene was then united in marriage to Janice Goke on November 15, 1985 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. After his discharge from the Air Force, Gene worked for Walsh & Kinney Motors, Cuba City Motors, Badger Motors in Platteville, as part owner, Pioneer Ford in Platteville, and Kies Chevrolet. In 1972 he began working for the State of Wisconsin as the manager of the UW-Platteville motor pool. Gene had a passion for flying and at the age of seventeen he acquired his private pilots license. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. After he retired from UW-Platteville in 1993, he enjoyed woodworking and making furniture and toys for his grandchildren.

Gene was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville, the St. Mary's Calvary Cemetery Committee, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years, member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Platteville Flying Club.

Gene is survived by his wife, Jan, of Platteville; their combined families of six children, Patricia (Tim) Digman-Runde of Chippewa Falls, WI; Vickie Saunders of Platteville; Tom (Cindy) Digman of Web City, MO; John (Linda) Digman of Star Valley, AZ; Cindy (Jim) Reiter of Belmont; and Candy (Mark) Hilt of Oregon, WI; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Bernard Digman of Platteville; sister, Arlene Jones of Oconomowoc, WI; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Digman of Platteville and Kristine Digman of Dubuque, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darlene; brothers, Elmer and Arnold Digman; sister-in-law, Beverly Digman; brother-in-law, Robert Jones; and great-grandson, Tyler Paulson.