Gene Vitus

Gene Furman Vitus is a son, grandson and great-grandson of Oregon pioneers who came to America from Germany and Prussia. Augustus John Fredrick Vitus and family settled in Albany, Oregon in 1878 with thirty-two dollars to their name. They bought a cook stove and borrowed a sack of flour, then set to working for area farmers. They came to Lane County the following spring, rented a farm near Junction City and worked through bad crops and heavy debt. They purchased a farm in 1884. The family including sons Augustus Jr., Bruno, Louis, and Robert, and daughter Mary (Andrews), stayed together until the farm became successful - so successful that the senior Vitus left in 1894 to start a new farm near Springfield. The original land remained in the family until the 1930s, and is today known as Thistledown farm. The Farm comprised six hundred and ninety-five acres and on it the father and his four sons labored for sixteen years. Eventually they purchased their own farms. Gene's grandfather, Robert Vitus, purchased a thousand acre farm in Springfield. They raised clover, hops, wheat, alfalfa, grain, walnuts, filberts, and fruit. They also raised award winning livestock. The Vitus's and their descendents are hard working enterprising and highly successful men. Their descendants eventually started their own businesses. Vitus Machine Shop was started by Gene's brother Robert Carlton Vitus and his Uncle Herbert Vitus. Vitus Electric which is still operating in Eugene was started by Maurice Vitus Sr. Original family houses still exist: Thistledown Farms on River Road, the Bruno House in Springfield and until recently the Augustus house also in Springfield was on Vitus Lane. Hope Abbey Mausoleum in the Eugene Masonic Cemetery is the final resting place for the original brothers: Bruno, Augustus, Oscar, Robert and Louis Vitus, and their sisters Mary and Rose. Gene was descended from Robert Vitus. Gene was in the United States Air force for four years during the Korean War. He was awarded the Sharp Shooter Award. He was in the Reserve for four years. He lived with his aunt and Uncle Herb and Nellie Vitus after he left the service. Gene met his beloved wife Helen in New Orleans whom he married in May 1955; she passed away on August 17, 2005. They had no children of their own, but they were close to his brother Robert and his wife Joyce and their children, Nadine Vitus Core, Gordon, Mary Ann Vitus Fauble, Greg, Michael, and Troy. He was also close to his brother Jerry and Edie Mae and their children David, Teresa Vitus Ross and Susanne Vitus Tandeski. He also spent many wonderful times with his cousins DeLora and Barney Vitus and their four children Paul, Corey, Rick, and Angie at their home in Eugene. Gene and Helen never missed Vitus reunions, weddings, birthdays or other important family occasions. They loved having a good time. Gene had degrees in Engineering, Drafting and Architecture. Gene Furman Vitus was born on June 22, 1932 and passed away on August 4, 2010 from cancer. There will be a Memorial Service for Gene Saturday August 14, 2010 At 11:00 am at West Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home. He will be missed by all. Remembrances to Greenhill Humane Society or St. Catherine of Siena in Veneta.