Gary A. Baney

Gary Allen Baney, born on September 10, 1942, passed away peacefully at home in Indianapolis surrounded by family after a brief illness on August 30, 2024 at the age of 81. Born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Gary was the first son of Lovell and Doris Baney. He graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1960, where he played basketball, tennis, and ran cross country. From 1957 until the early 2000's he held the cross country record at Wilson Junior High in Muncie. He went on to graduate with honors from Ball State University in 1964 and earned his Masters of Divinity in 1968.

In high school, he finally asked out Nancy Ann Rogers, even though they had known of each other for their entire lives. A trip to the movie theater to see South Pacific led to a lifelong marriage of 61 years. They married in Muncie on June 30, 1963. Their firstborn, Kristin Gay, was born in Louisville, Kentucky during his seminary studies in 1965. Their second child, Cherilyn Joy, was born in 1969 in Worthington, Indiana.

After a short time in the ministry, Gary went to work for West Shell, eventually climbing from a mechanic to a general manager for the company. He then became a business consultant for Wild Birds Unlimited, where his passion for helping others, customer service, understanding of retail, and birdwatching hobby came together to create a great capstone to his working years. 

In retirement, Gary continued following his passion for birdwatching, along with traveling with Nancy, often specifically in pursuit of their shared birding hobby. In addition, he loved spending time with family, reading, walking in the nearby state park, a good barbecue, and his sweet tea. He also spent time supporting those with, and those related to people with, mental illness, specifically through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, Marvin Dale Baney. Surviving him to continue his legacy and shine his light on others are his wife Nancy, daughters Kristin (Brian) Bridges of Columbus, Cherilyn (Chris Schwank) Baney of Indianapolis, grandchildren Patrick, Connor, Olivia, and Victoria, three great grandchildren, Jasper, Piper and Malcolm, as well as nephews and a niece.

Per his family's wishes, Gary will be cremated and a memorial will be held at a later date at All Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis. Arrangements are entrusted to Flanner Buchanan - Geist. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to NAMI, which can be made through the funeral home or at nami.org.