Fredrick Gene Hartweg, 88, of Carthage passed away at the Red Maple Care Center in Carthage on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

Gene was born February 6, 1934, the son of Fred and Edith (Alley) Hartweg in Keokuk, Iowa.  He graduated from Hamilton High School and went on to the University of Illinois for flight training.  He also served in the United States Army.  Gene was at heart a farmer but longed to fly at a young age and became an international pilot for Eastern and United Airlines.  After receiving his security clearance, he flew eight presidents over his career including serving as an Air Force One pilot for Ronald Reagan.  In his career he flew a 4H Grand Champion pig around the country for Honnegers Feed Company teaching it to walk up the steps and onto the wing to enter the plane.  He also flew the Beach Boys, crop dusting planes, the Hyannis Port shuttle and “bait planes” during the hi-jacking years, but Gene always returned to his family ground where he retired doing what he enjoyed most, farming.  Gene was a member of the Air Line Pilots Association International and the Ferris Christian Church.

Gene is survived by his sister, Barbara Kelly, of Quincy; nieces and nephews, Clifford (Judy) Kelly of Charles City, Iowa, Christine (Tom) Anders of Paxton, Illinois, David (Mary) Kelly of Mead, Colorado and Margaret (Brent) Roe of Quincy, Illinois; nine great nephews and nieces and their children as well as many cousins; and also a special friend, Nancy Jenkins, of Carthage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Stuart Kelly; and a sister, Donna Rae Hartweg.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 27th, 2022, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Tuesday evening at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.  Memorials may be directed to the Ferris Christian Church of Christianville in Haiti.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.