Gary W. Garner, 60, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 in Chicago. Gary was born July 25, 1962 in Olney, Illinois, the son of Frank and Joan (Jennings) Garner.

Gary received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois and received his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. After passing the Illinois Bar exam in 1988 he was off to Chicago where he worked for three separate firms: Gardner, Carton & Douglas, Steptoe & Johnson, and Williams, Montgomery & John.

He loved his memories of trips to the Brookfield Zoo with his children, along with Blackhawks and Sox games - he loved his Hawks, but even more he loved every moment he spent watching his son Sam play hockey on the ice from peewee through Fenwick High.

He was a lifelong Sox fan, and spoke at great length, many a time, about the Jordan years and how special they were for the whole city. He was also a Bears fan. Gary was a dog guy. Boxers were his first love, Bogie and Rosie holding special places, followed by cocker spaniels, Stubby and Shadow, and then "tri-pawd", rescue pitbull, Nym, capturing his heart in ways he never thought possible. One of his proudest moments was working his way to a place in his life where he could welcome his own shelter puppy, Jingles, and have all the time to give to her. Finally, the great through-line for Gary was his music, especially Bruce Springsteen, and his guitar.

Gary left us far too soon, but he worked as hard as he could to try to overcome and heal. He had great joy in living his retirement, looking forward to so much, including Sam and Cat's wedding and fishing for walleye up North. Gary’s family would like to thank the amazing teams at both Hinsdale ER and the ASHU at Christ Advocate. They deserve to be commended for wielding the best human science and medicine, and the kindest human hearts in trying to save him.

Gary is survived by his parents, Frank and Joan (Jennings) Garner; partner, Pam Penzey; children, Sam, Sara, Max, Charlie, and Abigail; brother, Gregory Garner; three nieces, Brianna (Caleb) Garner, Kirsten (Caleb) Piercefield, and Megan (Jacob) Burgener; great nieces and nephews, Evalynn, Isabelle and Jayce; and Uncles, Jack Jennings of Olney, Jerry (Paula) Jennings of Springfield, IL.

He was preceded in deaKiatler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, ILth by grandparents, Bernice and Paul Jennings, and Frank and Louise Garner.

Services for Gary Garner are being planned for a later date with Kistler Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, IL