After a life well lived, Gary L. Green, age 76, of Fulton, IL, died Sunday, December 31, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family and under the exceptional care of Mercy One Hospice.
Gary was born February 28, 1947, in Fulton, the son of Charles and Anna (James) Green. He married Cheryl Buikema on August 12, 1972, at Rockwood State Park in Morrison, IL.
After graduating from Hobart Welding School in Ohio, he joined Millwright Local 2158, where he was a member for 50+ years.
Gary was part Cherokee and proud of his Indian heritage. If you ever visited Heritage Canyon in Fulton, you may have seen “The Mountain Man” outside of the log cabin, where he and his family portrayed an 1860s pioneer family. He was a skilled knife maker and enjoyed annual trips to Prairie Du Chien, WI, buck skinners rendezvous with his close friend, Bob Zuidema.
Gary loved being Cub Master for Fulton Cub Scout Pack 342, where he created a program called “Mom and Me.”
His church family at Kingdom Life Community Church in Morrison was very important to him.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Green of Fulton; children, Kelly Strossner of Elgin, IL, Casey (Christina) Green of Camanche, IA, Chris (Kathy) Green of Fulton, Kari (Chris) Gassman of Crystal Lake, IL, Kristopher (Monica) Lowery of Rochelle, IL, and Kevin (Jen) Green of Morrison; brothers, Jim Green of Fulton and Dean Green of Morrison; ten grandchildren, Marilee Strossner, Natalie Strossner, Noah Thompson, Jaeden (Cayden) Deardorff, Preslee Green, Kirsten Green, Kiara Green, Lauren Gassman, Rachel Gassman, and Bennett Gassman; ten great-grandchildren; his Golden Lab, Ally.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the McDonald Funeral Home in Fulton, IL.
A Memorial Service will follow at 5:00, with Pastor Steven Harmon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Heritage Canyon, Kingdom Life Community Church in Morrison, IL, and Mercy One Hospice in Clinton, IA.
Online condolences may be sent to www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.