Gary Eugene Lindley (70) of Newton

Gary Eugene Lindley, age 70, of Newton, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at 7:07 PM Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating 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, family friend and classmate officiating. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service. In loving memory of Gary, memorials can be made to the Newton Community High School Bass Team. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here. At the request of the family casual dress is preferred.

Gary was born on October 19, 1952, in Crawford County, Illinois, the son of Grey and Joyce (Miller) Lindley. He attended Annapolis Grade School and then Hutsonville High School, graduating with the Class of 1970. During his years in school he played basketball. Gary also had a passion for drag racing, a sport in which bragging rights, not trophies was the fame. For Gary, building the car was his rite of passage. After high school he attended Diesel Technical School in St. Louis, Missouri, to become a mechanic. In 2003, after many hours of continued education, Gary earned the honor of Ford Senior Master Technician. Gary held this title for 20 consecutive years, until his untimely passing. Gary was currently a master mechanic at the Pilson Auto Center in Charleston, Illinois. He was an avid Snap-On Tool collector. Gary enjoyed the outdoors, going to the lake to fish, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Illini basketball and loved watching NASCAR, and Kenny Schrader and Dale Earnhardt were his favorite drivers. Gary also enjoyed woodworking and was very good at it and made many pieces of furniture for family that they will treasure. Gary was a man of very few words but would do anything for anyone.

Gary is survived by: Wife of 28 years - 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; Grandchildren - 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 of Galesburg, Illinois.

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