Eugene Bryan Straley, 84, passed away on December 20, 2025, surrounded by family, after a short battle with congestive heart failure.  Gene was born to the late Lauris B. and Christine (Burrell) Straley on September 15, 1941, at their home on the corner of Straley Road and State Route 72 in Cedarville Township. He lived and farmed his entire life on the Straley family farm. His final residence was the home of his grandparents which was purchased in 1911, an Ohio Century Farm. On September 1,1962, he married Elaine Kay McDonald and together they raised three daughters Amy, Susan and Carrie, "the Straley girls" on the farm. Gene spent his life dedicated to farming and caring for livestock ranging from dairy cows, sheep, pigs, horses, goats and dogs. If one of the girls wanted an animal, he never said no and  made it happen. Amy wanted to take steers in 4-H, he made space in the barn for them; Susan wanted an Old English Sheepdog, he found one; Carrie wanted Southdown sheep, immediately she had a whole flock; and of course a pony for the grandkids. His daily schedules revolved around milking cows and feeding and he never complained about it. Gene and Elaine both grew up in 4-H, were club advisors and supported their girls, at both County and State Fairs, and eventually their grandkids. Gene graduated from Cedarville High School in 1959 where he served as Class President as well as FFA President. After graduation he farmed and managed the dairy herd full-time until the late 80s when he sold the dairy cows and went to work in maintenance, eventually retiring from the Greene County Career Center. After retirement he and Elaine spent as much time as possible in Holmes County, their second home, until Elaine's passing in 2010. However, Gene did not retire from raising livestock until the age of 80, when for the first time in his life, his barn was empty.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 48 years, Elaine Straley. His older brothers Donald Straley and wife Becky, and William Straley. Mother-in-law Kathrine (Randall McDonald) Gregg, and brothers-in-law Tom Green and Richard McDonald.

The surviving family includes his daughters and their husbands, who were the sons he never had, Amy and Jeff Kitzmiller, Susan and Gary Caudill and Carrie and Jason Smith. Grandchildren, Emma Biermann; Natalie Caudill, Gabe and Grace Caudill; Grace and Chase Gostomsky, Bryant Smith and Clayton Smith. Chelsea (Kitzmiller) and Dylin Vashey and their daughter Hadley, Kaitlyn Kitzmiller, and Taylor Kitzmiller and her daughter Liberty. Sisters-in-law, Anne (McDonald) Green and Cynthia McDonald, and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 26, 2025, at Neeld Funeral Home in Xenia from 5-8 pm.  Private burial with family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Greene County Ag Society, "In Memory of Gene Straley", 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia OH 45385.