Gary Huffman

Gary Huffman

William Gary Huffman, 86, passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2026, following a brief diagnosis of cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and daughters at the time of his death. He was born on August 21, 1939, the son of William James and Inis Lucille (Walker) Huffman. He married Sheila Roelens on September 26, 1959, and they were married for 66 years.

A graduate of Sherrard High School, Gary completed a four-year apprenticeship and worked for 32 years as a Tool and Die Maker at John Deere. He was a handyman who could fix almost anything, and he was known for doing everything his way-which was the right way. In addition to his career at Deere, he farmed the family farm and remained active, working on the land throughout his life; he could be found in his shed almost daily, tending to the tools and projects he loved.

Gary was a lifelong outdoorsman and a member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who especially enjoyed Colorado vacations and trout fishing. He spent much of his time hunting with his grandsons and fishing alongside his grandchildren. A loyal sports fan, he supported the Green Bay Packers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and rarely missed his grandchildren's sporting events. His grandchildren especially loved to listen to his stories, which were known for being both funny and direct.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila; and their four daughters, Kim (Steve) Binns, Sue (Mike) Gall, and Theresa Huffman, all of Moline, and Connie (Gary) Brown of Sherrard. He was a proud grandfather to 15 grandchildren, Amy (Brandon) Vittitow of Kentucky, Sarah (Shane) Hill of Macomb, Amber (Marcel) DeBlieck of Coal Valley, Kurt Gall, Ryan Gall, Brandon (Jessi) Binns, and Tyler (Kristen) Gall, all of Moline, Emily (Courtney) Willems of Michigan, Logan (Audrey) Lund of Taylor Ridge, and Kate, Hunter, and Michaela Brown of Sherrard. Survivors also include 12 great-grandchildren, Alexis, Brinlee, and Chyler Vittitow, Kylynn Willems, Cooper Hill, Brooklynn and Harper Binns, Luella and Devin DeBlieck, Finnley and Duncan Gall, and Cohen Lund. He is also survived by a sister, Gayle (Ron) Peterson; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff Roelens, Linda (Brad) Hultman, and Mark (Becky) Roelens; a special cousin, Linda Kay (Dick) Hostens; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three grandsons, Baby Binns, William Brown, and Connor Brown.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dennison Funeral Home in Viola, Ill. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.