Francis E. (Gene) Onest, 90, passed away on September 20, 2023, at his Lancaster, PA home. He was born in Erie, PA, on August 2, 1933, and lived in the Erie area most of his life. He was drafted shortly after graduating from Albion High School and served in the Army in Korea. Before, during and after his time in Korea, he worked as a Fireman on both Steam and Diesel Locomotive engines, spending 10 years with the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. Upon getting out of the Army he attended Edinboro State Teachers College and graduated in 1961. He taught for 31 years in the North East, Pennsylvania school district.

Gene was a long-time member of the Lawrence Park United Methodist Church, Erie, and served in many capacities during his time there. He was also a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Lancaster. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to hunt. He enjoyed his family and loved doing things with his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank G. Onest and Henrietta Kidon, and his brothers Richard M. Onest and Jacob Onest. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Marilyn E. (Vesling) Onest, whom he met in college, as well as his five children: Dr. Karla Campanella and her husband Cary of Lancaster, PA; Scott Onest and his wife Deb of Minersville, PA; Amy Onest of Austin, TX; Tracy Frank Onest and his wife Carol of St Louis, MO; and Trevor Onest and his wife Pam of Canonsburg, PA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Olivia, Leo, Jesse, Ross, Aidan, Bridget, and Nina and his younger brother Theodore (Ted) Onest of Ocala, FL.

A viewing will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, followed by the funeral at 4:30 pm with The Rev. Jason B. Perkowski officiating, on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, Lititz PA 17543. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the link below.

Inurnment with Military Honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA on Tuesday, September 26th at 3:00 pm.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith United Methodist Church, 1290 Fruitville, Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 or the Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.