Gary Raymond Remrey

Gary Raymond Remrey, 85 of Sterling, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from cancer.

Gary was born on December 29, 1938 to Harry and Amelia Taber Remrey in Dixon, Il. And attended Nelson School.

He married Charlotte Boos of Dixon on January 4th, 1958, at St Johns Church in Clinton, IA.

Gary began working for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (Union Pacific) in 1956 as Lead Maintainer/Signalman. In July of 1991, Gary was injured while working and thus put on disability, then taking his pension in 2000. He loved his job though it involved long hours and time away from his family.

Over his lifetime, Gary was a lifeguard at Lake Butler in Nelson, IL. Became a volunteer fireman for the Dixon Rural Fire Department, loved being an IHSA Umpire and was an avid Civil War Reenactor with Battery G 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. Gary and Charlotte worked with stain glass and created and designed the stain glass windows for Pine Creek Independent Church, Polo, IL.

Gary loved being around his family, laughing, telling jokes, often attending his great grandchildren’s sporting events and of course, eating good food. He enjoyed talking to his former railroad colleagues and meeting them for lunch when he was able.

Gary was a social butterfly who could strike up a conversation with anyone often talking about his farming and railroad days, his daughters, and their families, and just making people smile and laugh with his quips.

In his latter days, he enjoyed watching cooking shows and listening to orchestra’s and singing on youtube.

Gary is survived by his wife: Charlotte of Sterling, Il.; 3 Daughters: Carrie (Brian) Olson of Waterman, Il; Denise (Kevin) Wright of Mt Morris, Il; and Diana (John Peterson) Lantz of Mt Morris, Il. Survived also by his grandchildren: Rich, Jennifer, and Rebecca Gray; Issac and Jacob Olson; Gabriel, Tyler, and Zachary Wright; John Lantz Jr; April Clark, Randall Peterson, Cecelia Henry and 28 great grandchildren and his sister Connie (Andrew) Laidig, Nelson, IL.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother Larry and grandson Andrew.

Gary requested no services and cremation rites have been recorded.

The family wishes to give Special Thanks to Finch Funeral Home, Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon; Heritage Woods of Sterling-nurses, cna’s, and staff, Dr Jason Reter-CGH and a very Special Thanks to Kasey Cain-NP.