There has been no mention of Pearl. May God in infinite love give Pearl and her family peace.
Glennis
November 6, 2024
Jo and family - we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I worked with Gary at the Gazette I always enjoyed when he came in the office with great stories. He lived in our neighborhood. We always enjoyed when he walked by with Pearl or one of the other dogs and would stop and chat. Rest in Peace Gary. He will be greatly missed.
Becky and David Shurtz
Becky Shurtz
November 3, 2024
Jo and family.......I met Gary on the "trail " walking my dog and instantly bonded with him and his beloved Pearl. He told the best stories and I could not wait to see him every day with Pearl. He was truly an icon on the trail and neighborhood! I am still numb hearing of his passing. His eyes lit up when he talked about his family and he told the best stories. My heart is truly broken and miss him dearly. My heart goes out to Jo, sons and grandson. He will be missed greatly!
Paula Mains
November 3, 2024
Gary's years at LeFebure showed him to be a very affable co-worker. He never seemed to be anything but happy. He was a pleasure to be around.
With deepest sympathy, Jim Swender
James Allen Swender
November 3, 2024
Please accept this "Trail Lady's" deepest sympathy in the loss of your love one, Gary. Walking the trail is not the same without seeing he and Pearl; still unbelievable his is gone. Gary was one of the good ones, gone way too soon.
Brenda and Brett
Brenda Zobeck
November 2, 2024
Jo Ellen, Scott and Ben, so sorry for your loss. I will never forget the Interstate Batteries 1800-CRANK IT softball games I tagged along to at Ellis Park as a kid. Rest in peace Gary.
Jack Greene
November 2, 2024
Jo and family, so sorry to read about Gary’s passing. We have some very great memories with you guys during the LeFebure bowling league over the years.
Jim and Lori Pearson
November 1, 2024
To the Family of Gary,
I see several of his former coworkers at the Gazette have shared their memories below. I never had the pleasure of meeting or working with Hap, but this incredible obituary in The Gazette makes me wish I had. Thank you for sharing his memory with all of us and you have my most sincere condolences.
Tony Baranowski
November 1, 2024
Jo, Ben and family, I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. Gary was one of a kind. I always enjoyed our talks at the Gazette or at your home when I would drop off Ben’s papers. When I would see him out walking one of the dogs we would catch up on family and he was always so proud of you all. A wonderful man ! Thinking of you all in these trying times. Best wishes, Dave Steninger
Dave Steninger
October 31, 2024
From the early 70's are memories of our upstairs neighbors, Gary and L.D.
My sister and I moved in, they welcomed us and for years were like family. If you needed to be cheered up, Gary would stop what he was doing and fix that real quick. What an exquisite man. So caring. So thoughtful.
Gary's Life was just as his Lord asked of him. Kind and Considerate.
Peace to all the family. "HAP" gave such wonderful times to all their lives. His friends were so many and I wish them Peace also.
Gary was one of those people, that when you would see him walking toward you, you KNEW the next 15 minutes was going to be the best 15 minutes of your day. I was lucky that his Life came by and crossed my path.
Bob
Bob Wernimont
October 31, 2024
So sorry about Gary, I worked at the Gazette with him, he was a great person, what happened was he in a car accident or something, we know he’s in Heaven now and looking down on us, thoughts and prayers are with you all
Kevin Kunzmann
October 30, 2024
So sorry to hear the passing of Hap. He was fun to play ball with him..
Couldnt of ask for a better team mate I can just imagine what shanny and Hap are saying now.
David F Wolfe Interstate Battery coach
October 30, 2024
Jo
Im sorry to open up obits and see Gary's pic.please take care and be strong .You ever just need to chat dont be afraid to call 319 777 8378
It is hard but in time it will be alittle easier .You dont forget be it will be a little easier to be able to say or hear his name and less tears come to your eyes .I didnt know Gary but i remember when and where i met him .the day you dad was having hip surgery .I was setting up the and in Gary Walks and suprised the heck out of us .we just sat there and chatted like we knew each other for years .well Jo ill let you go I just wanted to say hang in there kiddo and im really sorry for your loss Your old3st cousin Karen M
Karen Michalec
October 30, 2024
Ben and family - We cannot imagine how difficult this time is for you. While we didn't know Gary well, he always had time to chat with us when we crossed paths at Bever Park and always had love for our basset hound Georgia. The picture you selected says it all. He always had a smile on his face. As the saying goes "Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." Every dog did just that when they saw Gary and they will continue to do so in heaven.
Kathy Schoenfelder
October 30, 2024
When I moved back to CR, Gary was one of the first walkers through Bever Park that Roxy and I met. A fantastic story teller about his past life and a dog lover! He will truly be missed.
Nancy and Roxy
Nancy Johansen
October 30, 2024
So sorry to hear about Gary, he will be missed by many.
Brent & Teresa Haddad
October 29, 2024
Rod and Cindy, So sorry read about your loss. We're thinking of you and your families. Patti and Cliff Stacy
Patti Stacy
October 29, 2024
Gary was a wonderful man. He walked his dogs and his son’s dogs in a joyful way through Bever Park and I was drawn to him as I walked my dog in the park. I looked for him and his dogs everyday. We became friends and I’m thankful for that.
He was gregarious, kind and the dogs’ best friend.
I’m still looking for Gary and Pearl everyday and he will never be forgotten.
My thoughts are with Gary’s family at this difficult time.
Jeff Lindeman
October 29, 2024
Rod and Cindy, You have our condolences on the loss of your brother. May God help you and your family through this time of mourning.
Merle and Dona Pierce
Merle Pierce
October 29, 2024
So sorry to hear of Gary passing. Worked at LeFebure while he was there. and played softball with and against him for years. Didn't see him often the past few years, but always enjoyed talking with him when we did cross paths.
He was a great guy who loved his Cardinals and never seemed to be in a bad mood. I know he'll be missed.
Boyd Severson
October 29, 2024
My condolences to Jo and the boys. Gary took me under his wing when I first adopted my dog Mazi 7 years ago and would walk the trail. He would introduce all the people to me and he knew a lot of people. Mazi and Archer (neighbors dog) loved seeing Gary and Pearl. In fact every time we walk by the house they look for him and I have to pull them along. I was fortunate to spend an hour walking with Gary the day before the accident. He loved telling stories and that day he was telling me about Little B chasing the cat around and he couldn’t stop laughing about it. He loved sharing stories of his family. We will all miss seeing him on the trail but know that we all have an angel looking down on us.
Michelle Cherrier & Mazi
October 28, 2024
My condolences to Jo and the boys. Gary took me under his wing when I first adopted my dog Mazi 7 years ago and would walk the trail. He would introduce all the people to me and he knew a lot of people. Mazi and Archer (neighbors dog) loved seeing Gary and Pearl. In fact every time we walk by the house they look for him and I have to pull them along. I was fortunate to spend an hour walking with Gary the day before the accident. He loved telling stories and that day he was telling me about Little B chasing the cat around and he couldn’t stop laughing about it. He loved sharing stories of his family. We will all miss seeing him on the trail but know that we all have an angel looking down on us.
Michelle Cherrier & Mazi
October 28, 2024
What can I say but my heart hurts at the senseless way Gary was taken from his family and friends. I met Gary walking on the trail with his beautiful Pearl, struck up a conversation (I was new to the area) and became friends. There was hardly a person on that trail that didn't know the both of them. Gary would be playing his oldies on his phone but would always turn it down when visiting with someone, he was a kind and wonderful man. You may have noticed his Marine friend John was mentioned, John is a Cub fan and Gary a Cardinal fan. When walking with them I enjoyed listening to their conversations about their teams but it always remained civil. I might also mention that John will turn 93 Nov.1st and I remember Gary saying "I have a hard time keeping up with him"!
Thank you Gary for being a friend to all and hope you are enjoying time with your heavenly family but we all miss you here. Blessing to his wonderful wife Jo and to all his family.
Richard & Cheryl McKinney
October 28, 2024
Beautiful eulogy....it really hit home about Gary. Thank you for sharing Gary and my heart is full for hus family!
Jill Hermanson
October 28, 2024