Mr. George Gary Shetler

George Gary Shetler was born on November 24, 1925 to Carrie Drumm Shetler and Richard Frederick Shetler in Rosiclare, IL. He had one brother, Robin (Bob) Shetler and one sister, Rosemary (Shetler) Fulghum.
He attended Rosiclare High School. After graduation, he went to work for Alcoa in Rosiclare. He began, as most young men did, working the yard, but eventually worked his way up to the machine shop where he worked beside his father. He worked there 19 years.
In 1962, Gary began his own plumbing business, aptley named, Gary's Home Improvement. Along with installing storm windows, doors, and awnings, he held the title of the only licensed plumber in the county for many years. In 1966, he began working for the Job Corps in Golconda, Illinois as a plumbing instructor. He worked his way up to earning the title of Consulting Engineer by the end of his 20 year career. He retired on May 31, 1986.
Not one to embrace the life of relaxed retirement, Gary once again opened his own business, Gary Shetler Electric. Along with residential work, he did electrical and plumbing for the courthouse in Elizabethtown and the Rosiclare Hospital. He continued this work through the late 1990's.
Through the years, Gary was proud to serve as a school board member, a member of the Rosiclare Masonic Lodge, where he served as treasurer for many years, and was one of the founding members of the Rod and Gun club along with his Brother-In-Law Pete Henderson and many others.
After retirement Gary spent much of his time working in his shop. He also spent a lot of time pursuing two of his greatest passions, motocycles and guns. He went on may trips with friends that took them all over the United States hunting pheasant. Another hobby Gary enjoyed was making homemade wine and beer with his friends Jay Harris and Ben Robertson. They even had their own label "Shetler's Shelter".
Gary married Elaine Henderson on February 1, 1955. They went to Algonquin to be married, where Gary's good friend lived. Upon their return, they lived with Elaine's mother, Louisa in Elizabethtown, until Elaine's brother moved from what the family affectionately called the "Weaning" house. Gary and Elaine then took up residency there. Gary was very close to his Mother-In-Law, even giving her the nick name of Lizie-Jane. He was always on duty, gladly helping her in anything she needed done around the house.
Eventually, Gary brought the family to Rosiclare, where he raised his two children, Buddy and Judy, on the Shetler family homestead, where thery spent the remainder of their lives. As a father, Gary lived up to his reputation as the eternal handy-man. Each year for Christmas, toys, swings, and erector sets wre presented to his children perfectly assembled. He was always the doting father to Judy, being there whenever she needed him. To Buddy, he took time to pass on his vast knowledge of wiring, plumbing, carpentry, mechanics and guns.
Gary passed away on May 19, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his loving wife. He is survived by one son, Gary (Buddy) and Reima Shetler, one daughter, Judy Oxford, one sister, Rosemary Fulghum, and four grandchildren, Garrett, Grace, Kari and Kim.
If a man's wealth can be determined by his friends, George Gary left this world as a rich man. His smile and twinkling eyes will be missed by all who knew and loved him.