Gary L. Hanvey, age 66, of Marine, IL, born April 25, 1948 in Belleville, IL, died at 4:59 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1966. He was a former employee of Illinois Power for 27 years, and was a retired member of Labor Local 459 in Belleville. In his youth, he was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Belleville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Almeta (Kern) Hanvey; and his brothers, William and Thomas Hanvey. Surviving are his wife, Sharon L. (Kreitner) Hanvey, whom he married October 6, 1978 in Belleville; two step-children: Gregory S. Gravlin of Marine and Sara (Michael) Strubhart of Highland, IL; two sisters: Vickie L. (Tom) Ballard of Glade Park, CO and Cheryl A. (Bill) Buhl of Chandler, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Gary will be remembered for the love of his family and friends and his passion for hunting which included deer, duck, goose, dove and squirrel. He also loved his Labrador Retrievers, training, field trials and hunting with the dogs. Last, but not least, he enjoyed working his vegetable garden, from growing his plants from seed to having the first tomato to ripen.

According to Gary's wishes, his remains will be cremated. There will be a private scattering of Gary's ashes near his deer stand in the timber in Damiansville. A luncheon will follow from 1:30 - 3:30 at Fuehne's Tavern in Damiansville Sunday, June 29, 2014. In his memory, memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220-2159.

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