Eugene John Halama Sr., age 82, of rural Whitehall, died on Saturday, December 13, 2014 in the Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall.

Eugene was born on December 14, 1931 in rural Whitehall to Jacob and Julia (Filla) Halama and was raised in the Independence area. He attended the rural elementary Wagner School and graduated from the Independence High School after which he took a short course at the Eau Claire Vocational School.

Eugene married Betty Pavelski on September 28, 1957 in the St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Together they farmed all their life in the Whitehall area. After his retirement, Eugene continued to go to the farm daily to help out. Eugene enjoyed going to all of his children's and grandchildren's sports events and school activities. He loved playing cards with their group of friends and trying to beat his grandchildren shaking dice. Eugene loved traveling and coming back home to help farm some more.

Eugene was very dedicated to St. John's Catholic Church in Whitehall and the Knights of Columbus Council. Eugene had a great sense of humor until the end of his life.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Betty; three children, Eugene (Cindy) Halama Jr., Barbara (Roy) Semb and Cynthia (David) Thompson all of Whitehall; nine grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Dvorak, Eugene John (Cassidy) Halama III, Nicole (Tyler) Halama-Olson, Jacob (Ashley) Halama, Nathan (Amber) Semb, Natasha Semb, Amber (Lee) Wegener, Theresa and Mitchell Thompson; seven great-grandchildren, Shawnee Semb, Jacob and Kendall Dvorak, Henry Olson, Brianna and Hailey Halama and Hadley Halama; a brother, Joseph of Whitehall and two sisters, Eleanore Kulig of Whitehall and Dorothy Leaper of Sarasota, FL.

In addition to his parents, Eugene was preceded in death by two brothers, infant Frank and Rufus; five sisters, Pelchie Halama, Theresa Korpal, Alvina Schlesser, Esther Skroch and Valeria Bohlinger.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint John's Catholic Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall. Fathers Woodrow Pace and James Arthur will officiate.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 17, 2014 from 4-8 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall where a Christian prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.