Paul Gene Berghorn passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 at the Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway, Ark. following a bout with cancer.

Gene was born Oct. 15, 1930 in Fort Wayne to the late Paul A. and Margaret Berghorn.  He was a graduate of South Side High School, Class of 1948, and attended Indiana University before setting on a Design Engineering education from the General Electric Company to receive an Apprentice degree.  His education was interrupted for two years as he entered the United States Marines.  He was a supervisor at Electric Motors in Garrett, Indiana and also managed the North Webster Lumber Company for three years.

Gene fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning his own business in 1971 by opening the Palace of Sweets Restaurant in North Webster.  He opened a second Palace of Sweets in 1972 in Syracuse.  He then decided to take a bet and refurbish an old dime store, and in 1974 he opened the Das Keller Family Tavern and provided the best pizza and sandwiches in the area.  He was a past-President of North Webster Lion’s Club and chairman of the annual Mermaid Festival.  Gene enjoyed his family time on Lake Tippecanoe and was often there towing his children and their friends skiing around the lake.

He was preceded in death by Joanne (Coblentz) and Sheila (Duke) Berghorn. After his wife Sheila passed away in 1992, he decided to move to Fairfield Bay, Ark. to be closer to his brother and sister who retired in the area.  He met Peggy Camper and the two became soul mates and enjoyed many happy hours on Greer’s Ferry Lake along with traveling to see family and friends across the country. Gene enjoyed woodworking and volunteering his time at the animal shelter.  He also opened another Palace of Sweets in Fairfield Bay for a few years.

Gene is survived by his children: David (Kathleen) Berghorn, Waterford, Mich.; Dana Berghorn, Plano, Texas; Cathi (Dan) Krejca, Aurora, Ill.; and Beverly (Bob) Jesch, Spencerville.  Sister, Jude (Jim) Preston, brother David (Mary) Berghorn, and companion Peggy Camper.  He has ten grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Roller McNutt Funeral Home, 1902 Hwy 65 South, Clinton, Ark. with family and friends beginning at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be made to the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation, http://wish.org.

Final Arrangements entrusted to Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Ark.