Gary O. Nygaard

Gary O. Nygaard, age 68, of Waverly, Il. died early Wednesday morning (August 21, 2024) at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Il.
He was born September 14,1955 in Harvard, Il. son of the late Gordon Orville and Elsie Marie Johnson Nygaard
He married Carmen Flynn on September 24, 1988, in Waverly, Il. and she survives.
Also surviving is a son, Corey Kindred (Erin) of Bement, Il.; and two granddaughters, Makenna and Sophia.
Gary worked sixteen years at Arlans Department Store in Rockford, Il. in the receiving department and as a cashier. In September of 1973 he joined the IBEW Local 196 as a groundman, and equipment operator. Later in 1973 he worked on a new tower line from Cherry Valley, Il. to DeKalb, Il. Gary also worked driving truck and backhoe and bulldozing for the Union. He still has his first car, a 1974 Grand Prix which he bought from Mecum Auto Sales in Marengo, Il. He later worked for LE Myers at a substation in Big Rock, Il., installing new transformers and repairing steel poles. In 1976 he went to work for Local #9 in Chicago on tower lines and building new steel towers. Gary worked on the I-90 tollway where he broke his right wrist. Later in 1976 Gary's father told him they were hiring at LaSalle Nuclear Plant. He was hired on working in the basement of the turbine building and becoming purchasing agent because he had bookkeeping and accounting experience. Later he became a quality control inspector at the LaSalle Plant. He worked many years at the Waverly School as transportation supervisor retiring in 2013. Gary loved riding Harley-Davidson's and was an avid fan of NASCAR.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be hosted by the family on Sunday (August 25, 2024) at Waverly American Legion Building from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Gary's burial will be held privately in Waverly East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Waverly Rescue Squad or Christ Lutheran Church and sent to Neece-Airsman-Hires Funeral Home, 349 E. Tanner, Waverly, Il. 62692. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com