ILION - Gene David Charles, age 49, formerly of Ilion, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 19, 2017, at his home in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on February 6, 1968, in Ilion, NY, the son of Gene Raymond and Charlynne (Wheeler) Charles, and attended Ilion schools. Gene was a commercial painter by trade, and worked on projects in the Utica-Rome area and the Mohawk Valley. Survivors include his mother, Charlynne Harter, of Herkimer; two daughters, Sarah Rebecca Charles and Amanda Marie Charles, both of Herkimer; one son, Gene Raymond Charles, of Little Falls; two grandsons, Hunter Balderston, of Herkimer, and Orian Charles, of Little Falls; a brother, James Charles and his wife, Roberta, of Ilion; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Gene Raymond Charles, and his brother, John Charles. Graveside services will be held later this spring at North Columbia Cemetery, Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Gene, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. Local service arrangements and supervision are entrusted to longtime Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate, at Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion, NY (315-895-7722).