SPRINGFIELD - Gayleen Greer, 63, of Springfield, formerly of Rochester, passed away Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center.
She was born July 9, 1944, in Sterling, the daughter of Gaylord and Eris White Chew. Her father, Gaylord Chew, preceded her in death.
Gayleen worked for Central Management Services as a computer technician. She also worked as a real estate agent for Illinois Bell. She loved quilting, crafting, traveling and scrapbooking.
Her love of flower arranging and antiques inspired her to own Kate McKenzies general store in the 1990s.
She loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing memories and always had a great story to share. She was extremely proud of her three boys and was an avid pet lover.
Gayleen is survived by her three sons, David Erin Greer (wife, Heather) of Springfield, Michael Shawn Greer (wife, Michelle) of Rochester and Matthew John Greer (companion, Julie Hood) of Springfield; nine grandchildren, Cole, Corgan and Cannon Greer of Springfield, Mykenzie, Dakota, Dallas and Ava Greer of Rochester and Gracelyn and Chase Greer of Springfield; sister, Janet Barkmeier of Springfield; brother, Michael Chew (wife, Carol) of Divernon; brother, Jeff Chew (wife, Diane); and mother, Eris Chew of Springfield.
Visitation will be held at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at Wilson Park Funeral Home, with David Upchurch officiating. Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL 62702.
Please visit the online obituaries at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.
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Janet Barkmeier
October 22, 2007
We will all miss her very much! She is such a big part of so many happy times. That laugh of hers... those comments...her quilts and scrapbooking...her Texas cake, chop suey casserole,and potato rolls... her geneology... those 'inside' jokes... so many memories... and stories as only gay can tell them! She will always be in our hearts.
I'm here for you. Love, Aunt Janet
La Verne Butler
October 4, 2007
TO THE ENTIRE GREER FAMILY I SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I HAVE WORKED WITH GAY MAY YEARS FROM THE PHONE COMPANY TO CMS. ONE THING ABOUT THIS SHE WENT OUT WITH A BANG AND NO PAIN. GOD DOES KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING. LOOK TO HIM FOR YOUR STRENGTH BECAUSE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ARE GOING TO BE ROUGH. PLEASE BE BLESSED AND STICK TOGETHER AS A FAMILY THAT TRULY WOULD HAVE BEEN GAYE'S WISH.
Pat Sibons
September 29, 2007
David Matt and Mike,
I'm so sorry that I couldn't come to Springfield to be with you so that we could grieve together. I will miss your mom everyday. I am so grateful that I had a chance to speak with her just prior to her death! That was truely a gift to me.
I will be contacting each of you personally soon. Love, Pat
September 29, 2007
Dave, Mike and Matt
I am sorry for your loss. Gay was a great neighbor and fun to be around. She had great stories that she shared with me in the year I was her neighbor. I am sorry I wasn't able to attend the visitation or funeral but I found out too late. Sincerely, Katrina (Reiterman)Pemberton
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Kelly (Lane) Jackson and family
September 27, 2007
Dave, Mike, Matt and families,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. The earth has lost a wonderful woman, but God gained an angel with quite a sense of humor. Your mom and I ran into each other a lot and I love to visit with her. You boys had quite a mom who always spoke so highly of all of you. You made her so proud! God be with you as you grieve your loss, but know she is watching over you, and giving God a good chuckle.
Linda Pambianco
September 27, 2007
Your mother was a great lady. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Ron Sanders
September 26, 2007
Dave
So sorry about your mom. Little did I know back in 1978 when she was at JMBrown realtor, I cleaned the office, Gay always had a smile for everyone. Great person! I am sorry for your loss.
Cindy Spengler
September 26, 2007
Mike, Dave and Matt,
My heart goes out to you at this time. I worked with Gaye many years ago at Julie Davis Realtors.
She was always so much fun and we had a great time. You guys were always first in her heart and she was so proud of you.
My sincere sympathy
Cindy Spengler
Greg, Nancy and Joe Miles
September 26, 2007
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Barbara Bickhaus
September 26, 2007
Dear Mike, Matt, and David - Just read this in the paper this morning and still in schock. I guess we dont think of our friends passing and the terrible loss you are feeling. Lets see where can we start, I guess back when we were all so much younger and you guys played with my boys on the beach at the Surf Club and your mom and I watched, to flower shop business, to marriages, divorces, and on and on. I am sure she left you all with a great foundation to love as much as she did. You are all in my thoughts today.
Lisa Dirksen
September 26, 2007
Mike,
So sorry to hear about your Mom, she must have been a great Mom because she raised a good boy - I'm sure your brothers are good boys too! Hang in there - I'm saying a prayer for you and your family.
Mark Gebhards
September 26, 2007
Dave, Heather, and Family,
My condolences on the loss of your mother. You and your family will be in our prayers! I am sorry I was unable to make the visitation or funeral due to being out of town with business.
Dave & Fay Jostes
September 25, 2007
We are so sorry for your loss. Your mom and Grandma was an amazing lady. Her unique wit and Matt losing or breaking umpteen pair of glasses made little league actually fun. I loved running into her as her bubbly personality spilled over. Her dad and my mom went to school together in Rockford and even worked for the phone company together for a time. She will be missed, but lives on in the hearts of the many many people that loved her. Fay
Lori Hawkins
September 25, 2007
David,Mike and Matt....I am very thankful to have had your mother in mine and my childrens lives.She holds a very special piece of my heart.I wish all of you and yours the best.
Steve Coady
September 25, 2007
I am sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to work with Gay at CMS. Gay was alway's friendly, easy to talk to and helpful.
Michael Merz
September 25, 2007
David, Mike & Matt I'm very sorry for your lost. She was a great Lady and always made you feel at ease around her. You boys have great kids and she always admired her grandchildren. I wish I could be there to give my respects. But stay strong and remember all the good times you shared....
Michael,Jeannine, Shelby & Delaney
margie greer-edmonds
September 25, 2007
my aunt gay was the most wonderful person to visit with...always happy, always giggly and absolutely L-O-V-E-D her family & friends. unbelievable... both the person i knew and the fact she is no longer in this mortal world. to my cousins and their families my sincerest condolences. we will all miss her more than words can ever say. (teardrops)
Fred Brandon Hoffmann
September 25, 2007
Matt, We wish you and all your family the strength to carry the torch set by your mother. I knew her only briefly but found her to be a wonderful and joyous person. As you know your mother touched Brandon and he too wishes you the best and wanted you to know he really enjoyed knowing your mother.
Rick Schuster
September 25, 2007
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. I worked with your mom and grandmother many years with Illinois Bell and the Phone Center Store. More recently we would talk quite frequently with her job at CMS. She was always so pleasant and helpful. We did get to remember some of the old times. She always had a smile in her voice and a warm heart. Rick Schuster, Telecom Coordinator, Courts of Illinois
Sue Yates
September 25, 2007
My deepest sympathy to Gaye's family. I worked with Gaye for many years. She always had a smile and laugh. She was so proud of her boys and grandchildren. We talked many times of our grandchildren and their antics. She'll be missed.
Eryn Bartley
September 25, 2007
Kenzie, Koty, Dallas, and Ava. Im sorry about you guys losing your grandma gaye. She was always a nice lady who could put a smile on your face at anytime. I will miss her at the birthday parties and on Christmas. I love you guys and everything will be okay.
Love your cousin,
Jim and Sue Cook
September 25, 2007
I am Tracy Cook's mother. I had met Gay at another gathering. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Edie Nesbitt
September 25, 2007
My sincerest condolences. May your sweet memories bring you much comfort.
Tracie Cook
September 25, 2007
To Gaye's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Gaye was an interesting soul who always had a funny story and we'll miss her a lot. She talked about her family very fondly and she loved you all very much.
Tracie & Robert
Darlene (Miller) Klemaier
September 25, 2007
So very sorry about hearing of the loss of your Mother. We were friends as young mothers and our lives slowly intertwined. One time when I returned to Springfield, we saw each other and enjoyed laughing about old times. She was so talented and truly "one of a kind".
Kevin Cory
September 25, 2007
Guys,
My condolences for the passing of your Mom. Mrs Greer always had a smile on her face and a good laugh going. I am sorry for your loss.
Jim and Trish Ashton
September 25, 2007
What wonderful memories you have to cherish - she was so proud of her children and grandchildren! Our sympathies for your loss. We always loved running into Gay and hearing her wonderful stories that she told so dramatically! She is a jewel to always treasure.
Sharon Dennis
September 25, 2007
My deepest sympathy to the Greer Family. My prayers are with the family. Gayleen has gone with the Lord to her homegoing, however, she will continue to be in our heart.
Jim & Rita Cheffy
September 25, 2007
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
linda angeles
September 25, 2007
are prayers and thoughts,are with david,mike,and matt greer,on the passing of your mother.no words can express,the passing of ones mother.she was a great person.linda and tom angeles.
Bonnie Crabtree
September 25, 2007
Gaye always had a laugh and story to share whenever I visited with her.
The Spoon Family
September 25, 2007
Our sincere condolences to your entire family. We loved Gaye. She brought such fun and smiles to so many lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dale, Katie and the kids
Sally Campbell-Hutcheson
September 25, 2007
To the Family of Gay
Gay will be remembered always by her infectious smile and laugh. She was a wonderful person and please take comfort knowing she is in heaven.
I worked with Gay for many years and personally know Matt. I will have you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sally Campbell-Hutcheson
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