Gene A. "Red" Hegbloom, 77, of 200 E. Michigan Ave., Ironwood, died Thursday, March 3, 2011, in his home, with his loving family by his side, following a courageous, 16-month battle with stomach cancer.      He was born May 15, 1933, in Rhinelander, Wis., son of the late Vanner and Eva (Myers) Hegbloom, attended school in Saxon, Wis., and graduated from Saxon High School in 1952. During and following high school, he was employed as a meatcutter at the M eredith-Corrigan Co.in Saxon.      Gene entered the U.S. Army on April 6, 1954, serving stateside at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and was honorably discharged on April 5, 1956. Following his discharge, he returned to work at Meredith-Corrigan Co. in Saxon, then moved to Mullen, Idaho, residing there from 1963 to 1965. Returning to Ironwood, Gene worked at Erspamer's Supermarket in Hurley for three years, at Talaska's Market in Ironwood, and at Stan's Big Dollar in Bessemer, retiring in 1995. In his retirement, he worked part-time at Super One in Ironwood, and most recently, at Sunday Lake Market in Wakefield.      Gene was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, where he sang in the Men's Choir and the Resurrection Choir. He was also a member and current adjutant of Mercier-Kero American Legion Post 371 in Saxon. He loved watching all sports on television, following his grandchildren in their sporting activities, and was a big Green Bay Packers fan. He also enjoyed making banana bread for family and friends and going to the casino.      Gene's faith, love and kindness touched everyone who knew him. He had a special sense of humor that he shared with all. He will be deeply missed.      On Sept. 28, 1957, he was married to Donna Jean Bourdages of Saxon at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon, by the Rev. Walter Torkildson. Donna survives.      Also surviving are two sons, John (Diane), Ishpeming, and David (Lisa), Ramsay; two daughters, Wendy (Kirt) Grasso, Montreal, Wis., and Kathy (Paul) Follett, Sun Prairie, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Maria and Melissa Grasso, Cassie (Steven) Bluhm, Hannah Hegbloom, Matthew, Jennifer and Brett Follett, and Joshua and Jessica Hegbloom; two brothers, Jim (Elaine Jack), Saxon, and Vanner (Melva), Globe, Ariz.; an aunt, Eleanor Hegbloom, Muskegon; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, James and Donna Bourdages, Arbor Vitae, Wis., and Sharon and Jack Massoglia, Kenosha, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews.      Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Jean Hegbloom, in 1958; and three sisters, Viola Swartz, Cecelia "Punky" Sherrell, and Anna Mae Dennis.      Out of respect for Gene's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 12, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl J. Pepin, celebrant.      Rite of Committal will take place in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by the Mercier-Kero Saxon American Legion Post 371 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.      Spring inurnment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Saxon.      Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church on Saturday.      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice, 2101 Beaser Ave., Ashland, Wis. 54806, or the Our Lady of Peace Adopt-A-Student Program, 108 So. Marquette St. Ironwood, Mich. 49938.      To view Gene's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.