ZOLFO SPRINGS, Fla. - Gene Harlow Archer, 86, of Zolfo Springs, Fla. passed away Sept. 21, 2018 in Sebring, Fla.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Melugin Grove Cemetery, Compton. Arrangements were handled by the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, 4001 Sebring Parkway, Sebring, FL 33870.

Gene was born March 6, 1932 in Rochelle to William “Bill” and L. Ione (Olson) Archer. He married Ardis K. Nevins, daughter of Floyd and Hilda (Mable Schreck, step-mother) Nevins on June 14, 1952 at the Paw Paw Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years; one daughter, Roxie L. Lawson of Sebring; one grandson, John E. Vawter Jr. (Kayla); one great-grandson, William Gene “Will”; two brothers, Richard “Dick” Archer of Naples, Fla. and Ramon “Bud” (Arlene) Archer of Mendota; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gene graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1950. During high school, he had a six-piece orchestra that played at dances in several area towns. After graduation, he owned a restaurant in Compton until December 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While in the USAF, he spent a year at a radar site on Baffin Island, NWT, Canada where he enjoyed operating a 40-foot boat and fishing with the Eskimos while off-duty and obtaining some nice souvenirs at the trading post. After leaving the Air Force, he farmed for 20 years and during that time was also an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. He was a licensed pilot and owned his own Cessna 182 for several years. In 1974, he moved to Naples, Fla. where he became a licensed amateur radio operator and communications officer in emergency management. He received a diploma from the National Radio Institute with FCC License, a real estate broker and later worked as a supervisor in the school transportation department. He retired in 1994 and moved to Zolfo Springs, Fla. He was a 50-year member and past master of Brooklyn Masonic Lodge 282 in Compton (now merged with Lee Center Lodge 146). He was a member of Star of Rochelle Chapter 1030, Eastern Star Rochelle, Freeport Consistory and was treasurer of the Compton Methodist Church for several years. He was past commander of the Compton American Legion Post and chairman of the Lee County Selective Service Board. He was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Sebring, was past president of the Highlands County Model Railroad Club where he served as secretary and module coordinator for over 20 years and was a member of the NRA.

Memorials in Gene’s name may be directed to Compton Methodist Church or the Highlands County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be left at www.stephensonnelsonfh.com.