Gary Lee Turney Sr.

Gary Lee Turney, Sr., age 82, of Chadwick, IL, passed away on December 2, 2024, at Serenity Home, in Oregon, IL. A graveside funeral service will be held Friday, December 6, at 2 p.m. at Fairhaven Cemetery, in Fairhaven, IL (rural Chadwick). A Celebration of Gary’s Life will take place following the burial at Manny’s Too, in Fulton, IL, starting at approximately 3 p.m.

Gary was born November 16, 1942, in Freeport, IL, the son of Paul and Beth (Kaehler) Turney. Growing up in Fairhaven, he attended Chadwick schools, graduating from Chadwick High School, with the class of 1961. After high school he worked for Green Giant and General Electric, in Morrison, IL.

In November of 1965, Gary enlisted in the United States Army. Following basic training, he was stationed in Germany for a year, before being deployed to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, 27th Artillery. In November of 1966, Gary returned home, and in February of 1967, he married Patricia St. Clair, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Savanna, IL. He started a career with Northwestern Steel and Wire, that would span more than 30 years.

Lifelong residents of Chadwick and Fairhaven, Gary and Patricia were especially proud of their homestead, having built their home, themselves. Gary was a longtime sportsman and trapsman. His deep love for fishing and hunting was rivaled only by his love for his family; and that all started with his dear Patricia. They spent their years bettering their home, and traveling whenever possible.

For 15 years they made Apache Junction, AZ their second home, in the winter months from October to April, and they spent much of their summers in Cassville, WI, along the Mississippi River, with their camping friends. Gary’s adventures slowed in the last few years, with Patricia’s passing and Gary’s aging, but his morning coffee with his wonderful group of Chadwick friends never failed to start his day off on a high note.

Gary will be dearly missed by his daughter, Peggy Sue (Bret) Chase, of Oak Point, TX; son, Gary Lee Turney, Jr., of Conroy, IA; four loved grandchildren, Cole and Samantha Chase and Cooper and Paxton Turney; four sisters, Mary Aude, of Chadwick, Margaret (Tom) Diehl, of Rockton, IL, Jennifer Van De Velde, of Papillion, NE, and Julie (Ed) Logue, of Mesa, AZ.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Beth; brother, Dave Turney; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Olive St. Clair; brothers-in-law, DeWayne Aude and Vince Van De Velde; and his beloved wife, Patricia.