Robert E. "Gene" Exendine, 86, of Mexico, passed away Saturday November 12, 2022, at his home.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday November 16, 2022, at Pickering Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Gene was born April 10, 1936, in Big Piney, Missouri. He was the son of Robert L. and Lillie G. (Crossland) Exendine. On August 6, 1955, in Mexico, he married Jessie F. Hinten who survives.

He began working at Mexico Refractories at the age of 17. He worked for several other owners including Kaiser and National Refractories, many of those years as a crane operator.

He was a Baptist. He loved to travel and spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks. He also loved to attend farm sales and collecting items from sales.

In addition to his wife Jessie, survivors include two sons, Rob (Leslie) Exendine, of Lincoln, Mo., and Ricky (Julie) Exendine, of Centralia; three daughters, Sharon (Bruce) Swon, of Mexico, Karen (Greg) Haase, of Auxvasse, and Rhonda (Sam) Robinett, of Auxvasse; seven grandchildren, Austin Swon, Casey Lawrence, Kadey Sartain, Morgan Edmondson, Logan Robinett, Kaleigh Exendine, and Gabriela Exendine; and eight great-grandchildren, Benjamin Lawrence, Annabelle Lawrence, Dale Sartain, Devin Sartain, Thomas Jackson, Leo Jackson, Will Swon, and Ella Swon.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.