Gene A. Church

A memorial service celebrating the life of Gene A. “Geno” Church (Roark, Jr.), age 56, of Brownsville, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, at the Brownsville Christian Life Center, 15605 US 40 in Brownsville, with Pastor Amonie Akens officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 to 1:30 PM prior to the service at the church.

Gene was born March 28, 1969 in Newark, Ohio to Melody A. (Kirk) Kiger of Florida and the late Gene A. Roark, Sr. He passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Genesis Hospital in Zanesville from injuries sustained in an accident. Gene gave the gift of sight to others as an eye donor through Lifeline of Ohio.

Gene was a member of the Brownsville Christian Life Center. A “Jack of All Trades”, Gene was self-employed in construction. Gene enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a probate member of the Three Nails to Freedom Motorcycle Club. He loved being with his family.

He is survived by his mother, Melody A. (Kirk) Kiger; children, Anna (Preston) Grice, Brandon (Katie) Church, Tyane Williams, Marcus Greene, Melody (Becca) Trombley, Gabe Eisnnicher, and Harmony Church; grandchildren, Joshua, Jana, Maya, Mia, Bryce, Mariah, Rae, Ehzy, and Jax; siblings, Angela Rohn, Larry Wolfe, Shawn Hartrun, Brandon (Melissa) Bottomley, Stephanie Roark Bennett, Mike (Amanda) Roark, Rod (Staci) Kiger, Nick (Misty) Kiger, Michele Church, and Pat (Jessica) Kiger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his step-father, Donald Kiger; and by his maternal grandparents, Paul and Shirley Kirk.

A special thank you to the people who made contributions through the family’s Go Fund Me Page. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home to assist with funeral expenses. You may make your contribution by clicking on the "Donate Now" link below.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Gene and his family.