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BORN
1938
DIED
2025
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Gary Towers Obituary
April 25, 1938 - May 7, 2025
Freeburg, Illinois - Gary E. Towers, 87, of Freeburg, IL, born April 25, 1938, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Memorial East Hospital, Shiloh, IL.
Gary worked at Towers Fire Apparatus Company for 50 years and retired as President. He was a board member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, and a member of the Bi-County Fireman's Association, former president of the Southern IL Arson Investigation, and Assistant Fire Chief of Freeburg. He was also a member of the Freeburg Rotary Club, the Freeburg Chamber of Commerce, former president of St. Joseph Catholic School board, the Smithton Hunting and Fishing Club, Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Gary was a United States Air Force veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Madelle, nee Boehmer, Towers; a brother, Dale Towers; and a sister in infancy.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bonnie, nee Grott, Towers, whom he married on February 15, 1958, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, IL; a son, Brad (Kim) Towers; two daughters, Connie (Rick) Trout and Tracy (Bob) Waller; seven grandchildren, Mathew (Amber) Trout, Jessica Trout, Paige (Damian) McMullin, Allyson (Dan) Schwab, Jamie (Richard) Tripp, Tori (Aaron) DeClercq, and Trevor (Kim) Waller; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Colton Trout, Sawyer and Sadie Tripp, Devlyn and Harper DeClercq, Helaina and Peter Schwab, Calvin Waller and one on the way, and Vincent McMullin; a brother-in-law, Dale Grott; and a special friend, Laura Carver.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or in the form of masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: A funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL, for a 10 am. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL, with Fr. Michael Arockiam officiating.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Towers
Sponsored by Belleville News-Democrat.
3 Entries
Erik Brechnitz
June 21, 2025
My sympathies to the Gary Tower family. Gary and I met in the seventh grade at Belleville junior high school and became friends. We went to high school together at Belleville Township high school and played on the football team as teammates. I am saddened by Gary´s passing. Prayers to all of Gary´s extended family, Erik "Rik" Brechnitz, Marco Island, Florida.
Jay & Linda Krieg
May 11, 2025
Jay and I would like to share our condolences to the family of a good man, friend, Rotarian, Catholic, father, brother, grandfather, and jokester. We hold you close on our hearts during this challenging time.
PHIL ODOM
May 10, 2025
A SLOW SALUTE - TO A FELLOW VETERAN AND A NATIONAL HERO
THANK YOU - FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
We will remember you always and miss you dearly.
Take your Warrior's rest for a duty well done.
For the Family:
Even though I've never met your loved one,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss.
May the force of GOD be with you as you walk through this difficult time.
May the loving promises of our LORD and Savior comfort you
and give you peace and understanding.
As a grateful Veteran, I hope you accept this as a small token of appreciation
for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one to our Country.
SEMPER FI
SGT. PHIL ODOM
FOX CO. WEAPONS PLATOON
2ND BATTALION/1ST MARINES
U. S. MARINE CORPS
AND VIETNAM VET
[email protected]
"For those who fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know"
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Memorial Events
for Gary Towers
May
12
Funeral services provided by:
Renner Funeral Homes - Freeburg206 South Richland Street, Freeburg, IL 62243
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