Gary D. Cornwell

1948 - 2025

Gary D. Cornwell

February 22, 1948 - April 12, 2025

ARTHUR - Gary D. Cornwell, 77, of Arthur, Illinois, passed away on April 12, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born February 22, 1948, in Tuscola, the son of Dale and Virginia Blaase Cornwell. He married Betty Lou Clark on March 1, 1969; she preceded him in death on June 18, 1997. He then married Judith Ann Frady on July 21, 2001; she preceded him in death on September 8, 2005.

Gary is survived by his son, Dirk Cornwell (Jan and Dustin Hanner) of Arthur; his daughter, Lindsay and husband, Juan Varela of Aurora; and his brother, Reid Cornwell of Sullivan.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Virginia Cornwell; mother and father in-law, Oliver and Jean Clark; and grandparents, Roy and Amelia Blaase.

In 1966 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was deployed to Okinawa during the Vietnam War. He was a proud Veteran.

Gary retired from Caterpillar in Decatur on May 1, 2007, after 33 years of service as a union welder. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No 309 in Ashmore for over 50 years; a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 429 in Lovington; and was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

He loved serving the Arthur community by volunteering on the Arthur Fire Department for 47 years, retiring in September 2024. He enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, shooting trap, mowing the yard and last, but not least, being the Boss!

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Arthur Fire Department on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.hilligossshaderfh.com. Memorials are suggested to the Arthur Fire Department.