Gail Cameron Obituary

DEFIANCE - Heaven gained another angel on August 29, 2025 when our Mother Gail I. Cameron passed away suddenly at the Cleveland Clinic as we tried desperately to save her life from a brain hemorrhage. She has now joined our Dad and Sister in heaven as she often told us she was ready to go do. We do find some comfort in that...

Gail Cameron was born July 2, 1936, to Gilford and Irene (Schortgen) Anderson as the second child of four. Lavon Anderson (Wichita Falls, Texas), Margene (Defiance, Ohio) and Edwin Anderson who proceeded her in death. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1954 and graduated from Elkhart University in March of 1956 as a Laboratory Technician. In December of 1956 she married the love of her life, Larry G. Cameron who passed away in January of 2024. Despite being the first college graduate in her family, she chose to be a stay-at-home Mother until us kids got older and ventured into the workforce. She worked at different times at Dinner Bell, Zellers Corporation, Figley Die & Stamping, General Motors and retired from Johns Manville as a Quality Control Technician. She was also a member of St. Mary Catholic church in Defiance.

Gail and Larry had 4 wonderful children whom she loved more than anything in this life. Two boys were born first: Larry A. (Jami) Cameron, Rex (Jen) Cameron followed by her beautiful daughters, Lisa Cameron and Dawn (Bob) Carpenter who proceeded her in death in June of 2024. She also had 12 Grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Sadly, one grandson, Joshua Cameron preceded her in death.

Not only was Mom beautiful on the outside; she was even more beautiful on the inside! Her deep love for her family and friends knew no bounds. Our house was always a magnet for the neighborhood kids, and we have great memories of our childhood with our "Eastsider" friends on Ottawa Avenue as Mom kept an eye on us! We often had boats to enjoy water sports with. Mom loved riding along despite being a bit afraid of the water and going too fast! Dad was a speed demon at times which didn't help much but she was always there to keep an eye out for the kids! "Larry slow down!". Eventually Mom and Dad built a house on the Auglaize River and lived there for 38 years which brought even more water sports to an ever-growing family that loved to ski, kneeboard, and barefoot skiing! Mom also loved being outside and tending her flower gardens and landscaping. She was happiest with a rake in her hand and pushing her little red wheelbarrow around.

We can't forget her love of humming birds and feeding the birds around the back deck and trying to scare off the hawk that was always around looking for an easy meal! Trust me, that never happened on Mom's watch! She thoroughly enjoyed watching the bald eagles flying by, catching a fish in the river, and often perching in a nearby tree! She never got enough of the wildlife she saw along the river and loved it all so much! Which brings me back to Mom's love and care especially for us kids! We can't imagine our lives without her, but we know she was ready to go because the yard work, feeding the birds, and chasing hawks wasn't something she could do any more at 89 years old!

She was ready to be in the arms of Jesus, Dad and Dawn despite her love for the rest of us. We will miss her terribly, but she has gotten her angel wings now and will be looking out for us from heaven. We love you Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Great-Great Grandma!

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton Street) in Defiance from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Scott Williams officiating. Gail will be laid to rest afterwards at Riverside cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made to; American Cancer Society in memory of Dawn Carpenter or Defiance County Furniture Bank or Hebron Ministries or The Defiance County Humane Society. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com