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BORN
1951
DIED
2018
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Gary Church Obituary
He was born March 26, 1951, in Princeton, the son of Owen "Ghandi" and Edith Skaggs Church, both of whom preceded him in death. He was the last of his immediate family and is survived by numerous friends.
Gary grew up in South Jacksonville and received his Eagle Scout award from Troop 113 in South Jacksonville. He was a 1969 graduate of Jacksonville High School and attended Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. As a young man, he developed an affinity and talent for the game of golf, participating on the Jacksonville High School golf teams while in high school. He later became a PGA golf professional, working at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, The Links and Nichols Park golf courses in Jacksonville, and Westlake Country Club and Wolves Crossing Golf Course, both in Jerseyville. After returning to Jacksonville, he worked in food service at Rally's Hamburgers and CR's Restaurant. More recently, he was employed at Audio-Video Solutions in Jacksonville. He was a former member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.
Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of Gary's life will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. He will be laid to rest with his parents at Jacksonville Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts are suggested to the funeral home to assist with final expenses. Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Church
Wanda Hoffman
July 3, 2018
So very saddened to hear about Gary. Such a wonderful person. Have known him practically my whole life. He was like a brother to me. He was best friends with my brother, Gary Hickey. So very nice, polite, and so much fun to be around. Gary was so upbeat and funny. Great sense of humor. He will be missed.
mike sanders
July 2, 2018
gary.... a neat guy . met gary 1972 llcc golf team a true promoter game of golf .. god bless family
Virginia Hickey
July 2, 2018
I am so very saddened to hear about Gary. He was such a special friend of ours. Gary and our son Gary Hickey, were best friends. When our son was killed in a car accident many years ago, Gary Church was there for us. The car accident was very hard on all of us and he helped us in so many ways. I will never be able to convey how special he is and was to our family. He was a kind person and friend, helpful, and very caring. My heart remains thankful for him being such a wonderful and special person. I will truly miss him.
Jim Littig
July 2, 2018
RIP our friend. You were always a true gentleman to all in our family. Always asking about the family and friends.
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Craig Prunty
June 30, 2018
I always found Gary a pleasure to be around. Sad that he's taken so early. God bless.
June 30, 2018
Sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Gary always had a joke to tell. RIP.
David Culbertson
Jan Pohlman
June 29, 2018
With my deepest sympathy. ❤ Always enjoyed visiting with Gary at the golf courses.
Myron Marsh
June 29, 2018
Gary lives on in my memories...I can still see him starting golfers, telling jokes and making sure everyone was having a great day on the golf course. I picture him with a golf club in his hand. Really a nice guy...
Terry L Chumley
June 28, 2018
Sad to hear about Gary, no matter when or where Gary was always an honest friend to me. Always considered him a good man and friend! RIP Gary
JoAnn Chumley
June 28, 2018
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
JoAnn Chumley & The All Occasion's Staff
Robert Brummett
June 27, 2018
RIP Gary
Gayle Evans
June 27, 2018
Whenever Gary & I crossed paths, he seemed upbeat and positive, which I always knew to be his nature, regatof the circumstances of his life at the time. A good man at heart, and thats how Ill think of him.
Vicki Surratt-Soles
June 27, 2018
I was so saddened to hear of Gary's passing. Such a nice guy all through school and always, always had time for anyone who needed a listening ear. Prayers for him to be in perfect peace and prayers for all who were close friends with him in his last years in Jacksonville
Dan Moy
June 27, 2018
Gary will be missed by his friends. There never be another individual like him.
Bill McGee
June 27, 2018
Gone too soon. I will miss him. I was so looking forward to seeing him at the 50th Year H.S. Reunion. I just wanted to chat and get to know what he was doing in life.
Bill Sullivan
June 27, 2018
RIP dear friend, you will be sorely missed by those of us close to you, but St. Peter is gaining a great golf pro for his "Medina" and "Links"!
I will always remember our sometimes rousing, mutual birthday celebrations on the halfway point Mar 19th. Cheers, brother!
Fred Clinton
June 27, 2018
May you have peace and everlasting rest in the arms of our Lord.
A Tyson
June 27, 2018
Sincere condolences to the family and friends. May the God of comfort be with you and strengthen you at this difficult time. Matt. 5:4.
Sally Pires
June 27, 2018
Though. I have not seen Gary in many year's, I will always remember him as a very kind young man. May be rest in peace.
Rita Kleinschmidt Galloway
June 27, 2018
Gary was a great guy, loved golf, was kind, upbeat and fun. RIP.
June 27, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss please turn to Gods Word the Bible for everlasting comfort and good hope 2 Thessalonians 2: 16,17
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