Sadler, Ellis Eugene “Pops”, died Saturday, June 21 at home surrounded by his family. He was 87. Gene was born December 30, 1926 in Cecilia, Kentucky, the youngest of twelve children born to Mary Jane Hilton and Caswell Sadler. His parents and all but one of his siblings predeceased him. A humble member of the Greatest Generation, Gene enlisted in the United States Army as a teenager and courageously fought in the Pacific Theater. He received the World War II Victory Medal, Asia-Pacific Theater Ribbon, and Army of Occupation Medal for his service. Gene later worked for many years as a fixer for American Tobacco Company and as a welder for Ford Motor Company, from which he retired after 18 years of service. He was an old-school gentleman who believed that if you worked hard and minded your manners, life would be good and a little luck might come your way. Gene’s lucky moment was meeting the love of his life, June Devine, when he moved to Louisville after the war. They were married on July 2, 1949 and enjoyed 64 years of marriage until her death last year. Gene was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing at his camp in Shelbyville. He was a trivia buff and UK Wildcats fan, and he could forecast the weather better than the Farmer’s Almanac. In his later years, Gene spent his time enjoying life’s simple pleasures: gardening with June, watching golf, and doting on his grandchildren and great-children. He is survived by his two daughters, Brenda Smith (Bob) and Debbie Briggs; grandsons Robert Smith (Dee) and Erik Smith (Amanda); four great-grandchildren, Lily, Luke, Levi, and Ellamina; a brother, Thomas Sadler of Hemet, CA; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway. Visitation will be 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family extends their grateful thanks to Delma Hayse, Gene’s niece and caregiver, and to the compassionate employees of Hosparus who helped Gene through his last days. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hosparus of Louisville or the Altzheimer’s Association.