Gene M. Garey

Gene M. Garey, 89, of Harvard, IL passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Harvard, IL.

Gene was born May 6, 1935 to William F. Garey Jr and Alyce Mietke in Harvard, IL.  He married Elizabeth “Betty” C. Camp on January 21, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church in Harvard, IL.  Gene worked at Dean Foods in Chemung for 44.5 years and never missed a day of work.  He was also on the Harvard Fire Department for 20 years.

Gene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and former member of the Masonic Lodge and the Harvard Moose Lodge where he worked as a bartender.  He loved his home, family, and his cars, along with working in his yard.  Gene was also an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox Fan.  Gene had many one-liners, and people always appreciated his sense of humor. One of his best one-liners was “Friday night fish fry fiasco.” He and Betty always looked forward to their Friday night fish fry’s.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty Garey; children Barbara Peterson of Rockton, IL, Janet Garey (Julie Serstad) of Cambridge, WI, and Nancy (David) Weaver of Fort Atkinson, WI; grandchildren Valerie Peterson (Rudy Herceg) of Fairfax, VA, Michael (Molly) Peterson of The Plains, VA, Kyle Weaver (Larissa Derr) of Fort Atkinson, WI, and Sarah (Joshuah) Kline of Whitewater, WI; adoring great grandchildren Maya Herceg, Alden and Zavier Peterson, Emmett and Hadley Kline; siblings Ramond Garey of Roscoe, IL and Karleen (Keith Schact) Baumann McConnell of Orange Park, FL; special sister-in-law Lorraine Camp Carbonetti of Harvard, IL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister June Mikrut. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and thank yous to the Mercy Health Care system and staff for their years of dedicated and attentive care

The services will be private.

Memorials may be made to the Harvard Fire and Rescue, PO Box 431, Harvard, IL 60033.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more info at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.