Gary Gray

   Gary Gray, 73 of Danville, went Home to be with The Lord on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be on Monday, September 23, 2024, at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville from 10am-Noon. Services will follow at Noon with Tracy Thomas officiating. Following services, Gary will be laid to rest in Huffman Cemetery in Bismarck.

   Gary was born September 15, 1951 in Nurnberg, Germany, and adopted by his parents Leslie B. and Frances M. (Dreher) Gray when he was a year old. He grew up in California until 1964, when his family relocated to the Danville area. Gary graduated from Bismarck- Henning High School in 1969.  Gary enlisted in the US Army and proudly served his country from March of 1970 through April of 1972. Upon returning, he received an Associate Degree from Danville Junior College (DACC) and he graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. After completing his education, he began working in Advertising at Bridger Valley (WY) Pioneer, and later both The Hoopeston Chronicle and Commercial-News. Following his career in advertising, Gary worked as a correctional officer and counselor for seventeen years at The Danville Correctional Center. Following his retirement from the prison, he became a janitor for the Bismarck-Henning Elementary School.

   When he was not working, Gary enjoyed fishing, camping, and photography. He was a longtime member of Pleasant View Church in Bismarck, and a current member of Second Church of Christ. Gary enjoyed serving on the Safety and Security Team.

   Gary married Nancy Elaine Hall on December 20, 1972 at Pleasant View Congregational Christian Church in Bismarck. The two were married by Robert Shoop. They have shared nearly fifty-two years together. Gary leaves behind his wife Nancy; his three children: Amanda (Todd) Nardoni, Joel (Sarah) Gray, and Jodi Sullivan (Grant Hoke); ten grandchildren: Elijah Nardoni, Benjamin (Emily) Nardoni, Selah Nardoni, Magdalen Nardoni, John Gray, Samuel Gray, Amelia Gray, Jocelyn Hoke, Joseph Hoke, and Eleanor Sullivan; two brothers: Michael (Jessica) Gray and Patrick (Deborah) Gray; his mother-in-law: Betty Hall; his sisters-in-law: Susan Gildersleeve (Jeff Woolard) and Marcia (Rex) Kibler; two brothers-in-law: Larry Hall and Daniel (Sabina) Hall; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Robert Hall, a brother-in-law Jay Gildersleeve, a sister-in-law Susan Hall, and a nephew Patrick Gray.

   Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger Funeral Home Facebook page. Memorials may be made in Gary’s name to Second Church of Christ, Safety and Security Team, 3350 E. Voorhees Street, Danville, IL. 61834.

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