Gayle Ehredt

Gayle Ehredt, born October 3, 1951, in Savanna, Illinois, passed away on January 24, 2026. She lived a life centered on family and simple joys. A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m., at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Savanna. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, February 6 at the funeral home, as well as one hour prior to Saturday’s service. Burial will follow at Lower York Cemetery, in Thomson, Illinois.

Gayle was the daughter of Jess and Lilian Amesquita, and she grew up in Savanna, attending Savanna schools. On July 19, 1969, at just the age of 17, Gayle married her sweetheart, David Ehredt. Gayle was a homemaker while her two children were young, pouring her energy into creating a warm and nurturing home. As they grew older, she expanded her care for others into the community, working 18 years in childcare at the YWCA, followed by another 18 years as a teller at Savanna Thomson State Bank.

She loved a good day trip, whether it was a cruise on the Celebration Belle, a stop at a casino, or a scenic drive up to Galena. And if there was a Walmart anywhere nearby, everyone knew she’d want to stop. But more than anything, Gayle cherished time with her family. She delighted in hosting holidays, planning birthday parties, and bringing everyone together. Even this past year, despite significant health challenges, she was determined to host Christmas for her family!

In her younger years, Gayle enjoyed dancing and was an enthusiastic Elvis Presley fan. She also had a special fondness for Barbie dolls, building a collection over the years. Creative at heart, she made ceramics in her earlier days, including a large owl lamp that still sits proudly in her home. She was also a longtime member of New Hope Assembly Church.

Gayle will be dearly missed by her husband of 56 years, David; daughter, Tammy Ehredt-Adams, of Savanna; son, Handy (Andra) Ehredt, of Clinton, IA; honorary children, Bryan Spencer and Sandy Pritchard-Wurster; four grandchildren, Skylar Porter, Clayton (Moeka Tsuziki) Spencer, Jenna (Kiera Jackson) Spencer, and Allison (Kenneth Ravenscroft) Spencer; honorary sister, Bobbie Hochbaum; brother-in-law, Ron (Kathy) Ehredt; sister-in-law, Cindy (John) Henderson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Jess Amesquita; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Crystal Ehredt; and three brothers-in-law, Gary Ehredt, Joseph Ehredt, and Benjamin Ehredt.