I played grade school basketball “ against “ Gary we went to different grade schools north of Ottawa Illinois’s both went to Ottawa high and played football. Where he excelled I wasn’t very good though

Gary was a great guy and very popular in school

I wasn’t at all surprised to hear that he entered the ministry he was a personal hero of mine as a kid and my heart is heavy but I know that he is in heaven.

To everyone who has shared a memory of Gary,

We want you all to know that we have read and cherish each one of your comments and memories about Gary. It has brought much comfort to our family. We also cherish your prayers and offers of help and support as we face the loss of our wonderful husband, father and grandfather in the coming days. It has touched us deeply to see what a difference that Gary made in the lives of so many people. He was a good man and a faithful servant of God whose deepest desire was to share Jesus Christ through his life, his actions and his words. He ignored his physical challenges and continued to serve God, his family and friends and his church in the best way he knew. Thank you all so much for being a part of his life!

Gratefully,

Robin, Kelli, Ross & Amber and Henry, August, William and Elizabeth

My deepest sympathies. I so enjoyed talking with Gary MWF. We would have these philosophical discussions that challenged both of us, I think. He always spoke of how lucky he was to have you Robin. Thinking of you all, Megan Caballero

Dearest Robin and Family,

We were very deeply saddened by the news of Gary’s passing. We send our most heartfelt condolences to the entire family. It is comforting to know Gary is being cradled in God’s loving embrace now and forevermore. The stars in the heavens are shining even brighter now as his beautiful soul soars on the wings of eagles. It was an honor and a privilege to know such an incredible man!

With love, warmth, and compassion,

Julie (Armstrong) Donahue, fellow Ottawa Pirate and Iowa Hawkeye

Dear Robin, Kelly, and Ross,

Was so sorry to hear of Pastor's passing. I had no idea that he had been so ill. I viewed his service online and was so touched by Kelly's tribute to her dad. I have many memories of our 17 years at Grace Fellowship. My children's spiritual church upbringing was thanks to your family's faithfulness and commitment to the church. I also remember the years that Vernon was a part of the congregation, and, how much he grew and came to Love the Lord as a result of the teaching and time that he spent with Pastor Gary and the way that everyone made him feel welcome and celebrated his 90th birthday with him at the church. On behalf of our family,

God Bless You All, and give you His Peace, Comfort, and direction for the days ahead.

Sincerely, Twylla Allen

Dear Robin, Ross, and Kelli,

We are so very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We are grateful for Gary’s care and influence with our son, Alex, as he grew up with Ross and their other close friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all those who knew and loved Gary.

With deepest sympathy,

Jennifer and Modestos Modestou

We have many fond memories of Grace Fellowship Church and are saddened by this news, but also rejoice that Gary is now at peace with his best friend Jesus! Please know that we pray for God's comfort and peace to sustain you during this time. May the good memories carry you from day to day. Jesus is Lord!!

Arlen and Lois Ottmar family

Robin -

We are so sorry to hear of Gary passing away this week.

I still remember the day that we all met in physical therapy after Gary's and My heart surgery. I felt we all got along with each other so well, under the circumstances while in the hospital. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

It actually hit home when we seen that he died due to complications of Covid-19. We have just recovered from that dreaded virus, and know the empty feelings of having it.

We would love to hear from you when you are able.

Just heard of Gary's passing from my wife. May God give you all comfort in Jesus Christ our Lord. Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with your family. Gary's faith carried him through!

Rus and Roxanne Schomers and family.

Robin, Ross, and Kelli,

We praise God for His comfort toward all of you, as He welcomes Pastor Gary into His open arms. I KNOW we will again see him one day. I am so thank for Pastor Gary who made such a difference in my life and in my husband, Shane's life. Because of his teaching of the Bible my husband and I have a firm understanding of God's love in our life. We have always looked to Pastor Gary as to the one who set us back on the right path to God when we needed direction. I shall miss him in this life but look forward to seeing him again one day.

I admire Pastor Gary for continuing to preach and serve Grace Fellowship in spite of great physical difficulties. In December 2018, he preached the funeral of my late wife, Shirley Bartachek and also attended the visitation at the funeral home in Washington, IA. He was on dialysis at the time, and in spite of how he felt, he served the Lord God faithfully.

Jerry L. Bartachek Sr.

Robin, Ross and Kelli, so very sorry for the loss of Gary. I have many great memories of our family gatherings at Grandma & Grandpa Miller's house and Uncle Dick's house. He will be greatly missed. Blessings to you.

I sense the Lord saying to you: "When your heart aches, I weep with you and collect your tears in a bottle. But, do not despair. I am with you to bring you through every trial and to help you rise above anguish and hopelessness. Look up. Remember Me and all that I have done for you. Your hope is not wasted when you trust Me."

Remember... Psalm 56:8-9 "You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me."

We love you guys

Big, big hug from Colombia, ❤️

Jerry & Barb

Robin, Ross, and Kelli, Sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I always enjoyed seeing you all at the family gathering. I will always remember when I asked if there were a lot of pheasants in Iowa, and he said "No, there's no birds in Iowa". I regret never having a chance to share a hunt with my cousin, but I now own a bird crazy german shorthair, who will be ready for a fall hunt this year. Every time I step foot in an Iowa field I will surely remember those words, as well as all the other countless memories and times we had. Bless you all

So sorry to hear the passing of Gary! Grew up with Gary, lived down the road from him! My deepest sympathy to Rick,Tom, and Bob, and also to their families!

Debbie Henneke

To Robin, Ross, and Kelli and family,

We were all saddened by the news of Gary's passing. We will always have fond memories of our time with him as our coach and mentor. You both were always so welcoming and kind to us all as we grew up with Ross. We will cherish our memories of Gary and hope you find peace knowing he's now in heaven.

With all our love,

Jack and Ashley

Dear Robin, Ross and your family, and Kelli,

We offer you all our sympathy for your loss of Gary, your wonderful husband and father. We have appreciated his friendship with us and especially his influence as a coach, a mentor, and a role model to our son Jack, through Jack's long friendship with Ross. We know Jack feels Gary's loss deeply for Ross, your whole family, and himself. We too are so saddened by Gary's passing and will keep the wonderful memories of our times together watching our boys play soccer, football, perform in bands, and our conversations with Gary and Robin as our son's grew up together.

Gary was a lovely, kind, humorous, generous, and determined person who has made a difference in our son's life, our life, and the lives of all those in knew him.

We hope your memories of Gary will comfort you forever.

Love,

Liz and Mike Hooley

Robin and family we’re so sorry for the loss of Gary.We are so glad he married us.Gary was such a great guy. It’s so hard loosing your soulmate. May God give you the strength you need to get through this. Hugs and love sent

Robin, I am so sorry for your loss! It is so tragic. I send you love, strength and warmth. I lost my husband suddenly a year and a half ago. If sadness ever grabs hold of you and you want to scream or cry to an understanding ear, I would be honored to lend mine. XO Megan McGinnis Dayton

Robin, Ross and Kelli, We send our sympathies to your family at this time. Pastor Gary was a great man of God and was so supportive to our family at a time we needed his guidance. He always gave uplifting messages and truly taught us about the love of God. We have been keeping you in our prayers now and in the days ahead.

Dear Robin, Ross, & Kelli,

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father. What a good man Gary was. There are so many things that can be said of this faithful man. I've always appreciated his passion for the Word of God, and His people. I'll never forget watching Gary at a youth camp one night praying for, and watching the youth from Grace, as well as his own Ross & Kelli, get touched by God's presence. What a joyful and content countenance on his face. Wow, he's now experiencing that beyond what any of us can imagine. Robin, your care for him over these years speaks of the great love you shared for each other. We all will miss him.

Daniel & Kelly Winn

New City Church, Cedar Rapids

Robin, Ross, and Kelli,

Condolences from the Adam Hirschy family.

Your husband and father was a great example of what it means to truly follow the Lord Jesus. He stood up for righteousness and was a stickler for the Word of God. He was patient with others in his journey through life and ministry. He wanted to follow the Holy Spirit and His leading. Robin, he loved you sooooo much! I will miss the way he told stories with that gleam in his eye and a slight smile. He would lean back in his chair at RMAI meetings and give us his thoughts. Robin would listen and help him know when to sum it all up. : ) What a great man of God. We will see him again soon.

Robin, Ross, and Kelli, I am truly sorry for the loss of your husband and dad. I knew Gary at Rhema and later at Grace Fellowship when I visited a few times. It has been several years since I have been with you, so I am not sure the kids remember me, but I just want you to know that I send you my deepest condolences, to you Robin and your family and to the church. Gary was a picture to me of stability and strength, even as far back as I remember working under him in the parking lot ministry at Rhema. He was a very able minister of the Gospel and a compassionate and wise pastor. He is now in heaven with Jesus enjoying his reward. I am happy for him to be enjoying heaven, but sad for all of us who will miss him. I will be praying for you and your family, and the church family for the Lord to pour out His grace, and strengthen and comfort all of you.

Bill Yanney

Lead Pastor, Family Worship Center Church

Sioux City, IA

Robin, Ross and Kelli, I was so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He truly was an inspiration to me not only in his teachings but also in the manner in which he faced his physical problems, seeming to ignore them and press on to do the work of the Lord. He always had something to say to me and especially showed interest in my family. Know that I am with you in spirit and send a BIG hug and blessings to you all. My prayers are for your comfort and peace thru this time of grieving.

Sincerely

Nola