Eugene Singleton

Eugene Edwin “Gene” Singleton
Eugene Edwin “Gene” Singleton unexpectedly went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Fairview University Medical Center—Mesabi in Hibbing.   He was born on Oct. 3, 1934, to Nels and Esther (Arola) Maatta in Green Valley Township, MN.  Esther subsequently married George Singleton and together they raised Eugene.  As a boy during the Great Depression, he lived on a small farm in Menahga, MN.  He attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN where he sang and played guitar at churches and at Salvation Army Missions.  He was one of the founding families of First Assembly of God Church in Hibbing, MN, and sang and played guitar with his wife and family at numerous church events in Hibbing, in Chisholm, and in the surrounding communities.  He wrote and performed many gospel songs.  He formed the Country Sunshine band and Ramblin’ Country that played for veterans.  Gene ran Singleton Heating and Sheet Metal and then Comfort Heating for 34 years.  Because of his reputation for quality and service at a reasonable cost, he installed furnaces for those on governmental assistance, and in addition, he discounted costs for the destitute to the point that he and his coworkers sometimes worked for free.  In the spring, he bought discounted winter coats that he gave to those who needed them the next winter.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce;  five children:  Dr. Timothy (Dr. Joelle Hymel) Singleton of Golden Valley, MN, Tamara (Jerry) Thompson of Hibbing; Michael (Dorothy) Singleton of Lino Lakes, MN, Sharon (Gary) Stanczyk of Hibbing; and Joel Singleton of Moundsview, MN; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Saturday May 11, 2013, at Open Door Church, Hibbing, from 12 Noon until the 1 PM funeral service.  Interment will be in Chisholm Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

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