Eugene Clark Hute, 80, of Suffolk, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Maryview Medical Center.

A native of Jackson County, Iowa,. he was the widower of Phyllis Ritchie Hute, and was the son of the late Raymond Hute and Myrtle Clark Hute.

He had retired as a machinist for Thomas J. Lipton.

He was a member of Beech Grove Methodist Church, and was a member of Suffolk Moose Lodge No. 141.

He was a WWII veteran, having served in the Merchant Marines.

He is survived by his best friend and soul mate, Irene W. Smelser of Suffolk; daughters and son-in-law, Juanita H. and Richard Earl Groce of Advance, N.C., and Kaye Hute of Portsmouth.; grandchildren, Natalie Groce Coburn, and husband, Taylor; Kenneth Groce, Aimee Groce, and Andy Hute; and sister, Norma H. Johnson of Iowa.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Sidney F. Harrell Chapel of the Harrell & Hill Funeral Home, with the Rev. Garland Hines officiating. Entombment with Moose rites will be in Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery.

Friends may join the family from 7-8 p.m. Friday in Harrell & Hill Funeral Home.

Harrell & Hill Funeral Home is serving the family.