Gary Eugene Lindley (70) by Newton

Gary Eugene Lindley, aged 70, of Newton, Illinois, died unexpectedly at 7:07 p.m. – Thursday, Gary Eugene Lindley, aged 70, of Newton, Illinois, died unexpectedly at 7:07 p.m. – Thursday, January 26, 2023 , at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Funeral services in celebration of Gary’s life will be held at 11:00 am – Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois with Lanette Huddleston, a family friend and classmate. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. The visit takes place 2 hours before the service. The Newton Community High School Bass Team is memorialized in loving memory of Gary. The obituary can be viewed and condolences can be left at www.meyerfh.com. At the request of the family, casual clothing is preferred.

Gary was born on October 19, 1952 in Crawford County, Illinois to Gray and Joyce (Miller) Lindley. He attended Annapolis Elementary School and then Hutsonville High School, graduating in 1970 playing basketball. Gary also had a passion for drag racing, a sport that was not about trophies but about bragging rights. For Gary, building the car was his right of way. After high school, he attended Diesel Technical School in St. Louis, Missouri to become a mechanic. In 2003, after many hours of continuing education, Gary was awarded the honor of Ford Senior Master Technician. Gary held that title for
20 years in a row, until his untimely death.

Gary was currently a master mechanic at the Pilson Auto Center in Charleston, Illinois. He was an avid collector of snap-on tools. Gary enjoyed the great outdoors, fishing at the lake, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, Illinois basketball and loved watching NASCAR, and Kenny Schrader and Dale Earnhardt were his favorite drivers and family furniture they will cherish. Gary was a man of very few words but would do anything for anyone.

Gary leaves behind: Wife of 28 – Susan Iffert Lindley of Newton, Illinois Children – Mike (Melissa) Lindley of Newton, Illinois; Danyel Goode of Newton, Illinois; Staci (Chris) Roberts of Bellmont, Illinois; Tiffany (Mark) Keller of Newton, Illinois; and Joshua Kuhl (Lorissa Cummings) of Newton, Illinois.

grandsons – Josh (Meranda) and Nichole (Andy) Bradberry; Brayden and Peyton Lindley; Colton (Mariah Earnest), Kiersten, Connor, Caydon and Carson Goode; Krystina (Zach) Christenberry, Natalie and Greyson Roberts; Madison, Grant and Alex Keller; Brooklyn Herman (Carter Dial) Layla and Knox Kuhl; Bryson Caudill, Dalton Brannon, Ashtan Merrell and McKenzie Hawkins. Great-grandchildren – Kiley Bradberry, Jaelynn Bradberry, Hunter Bradberry and Aurora Christenberry. Sister – Linda (Roger) Meeker from Galesburg, Illinois

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Callon Goode.