Gary A Mayberry

Born March 4, 1943 in Peoria to Halsey and Bessie (Hatcher) Mayberry, he married Carol Tucker on February 1, 1964 in Pekin. She died October 25, 2011 in Peoria. He was also preceded in death by his father; and two nephews, Chad and Larry, II.

Surviving are his mother, Bessie Mayberry of Pekin; two sons, Philip (Mattie) Mayberry of Pekin and David (Korine) Mayberry of Morris; twin daughters, Heidi (Matt) Mamer and Holly (Scott) Webster, both of East Peoria; eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Matthew, Lydon, Ryah, Madison, Mitchell, Moriah, Peyton, Logan, Bailey, and Brooklynn; two great-granddaughters, Alexis and Myckaela Sue; three brothers, Larry (Donna) Mayberry, Kenny (Janie) Mayberry, and Kendall (Linda Smith) Mayberry, all of Pekin; and three sisters, Janet (Luke) Welty of Mt. Sterling, Neva (Bud) Watson of Manito, and Dianna (Russ) Diamond of Valrico, FL. He also leaves a brother-in-law, John Tucker of Alpharetta, GA.

Gary worked at Caterpillar, Inc. for over 30 years, retiring in 1995 from the Morton Parts Facility.

He was a member of the Pekin Church of Christ, where he had served as a deacon, treasurer, and taught classes. He volunteered at the Groveland Library. He was a member of the NRA.

Gary enjoyed hunting at his cabin “Browning” in Brown County, golfing, fishing, tending to his goldfish pond, and playing softball. He was a St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball fan. He loved to garden and would give his vegetables away to family and friends. He also enjoyed going to garage sales and bargaining with the sellers. He never met a stranger.

Family was very important to Gary. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports. He loved Country music and spending time with his mother at Kentuckiana Kampground near Hopedale. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Ministers Larry Curry and Paul Thomas will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, and also from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to OSF Hospice, 2265 West Altorfer Drive, Peoria, IL 61615. The family would like to thank Kyle’s Care at Home and OSF Hospice for their care and compassion of Gary.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com