Gary Cornell (68) of Effingham

Gary D. Cornell, 68, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023 at his home in Effingham, surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial visitation will be held from noon to 2:00 pm Friday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with private family burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham.  Memorial donations may be given to Community Support Systems. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here. 

Gary was born December 4, 1954 in Effingham, the son of George and Rebecca “Becky” (Waugh) Cornell. He married Lisa Weber on March 29, 1980.

Gary loved his family and always protected them by keeping a watchful eye, especially with his grandchildren. He always said I love you and gave the best hugs. He loved special occasions and holidays; and enjoyed watching others open presents. His eyes would light up with love when he looked at his beloved wife, watched his sons work on projects, or watched the grandkids play.

Gary was the heart of his family; always keeping everyone in line and together. He was their protector and always generous to everyone. Gary was known for buying groceries for people who didn't have enough money or stopping to help people stranded on the road. He loved to have family cookouts on a whim to spend time with his wife, boys, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, mother, siblings, and friends.

Gary loved airplanes and was an EAA member for many years at Oshkosh. He loved to go year after year to spend time camping, riding four-wheelers, watching the air show, and grilling with his boys and friends. He loved eating as much as he wanted and drinking as much beer as possible without being nagged by the ladies. His favorite plane was the WW II fighter plane, P 52 Mustang. Gary loved to ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles and always wore Harley shirts. He also loved muscle cars, especially AMX.

Gary lifted weights all his life and had big muscles to show for it; he always encouraged others to try it. When his boys were young and their friends would see their dad, they would say, "Is that your dad? He's a big dude.” They liked that their dad had bigger muscles than all the other dads.

Gary had a certificate in welding and was a hell of a machinist. He enjoyed making things in his shop. Gary loved to be outdoors; being in the woods, chopping wood, shooting guns, camping, bass fishing, and deer hunting, in some of which he did with his son, Josh. He enjoyed wildlife and had a heart for helping wounded animals, such as hawks. Gary also had a love for other animals including dachshunds and german shepherds, and even had a chicken coop.

Gary loved astronomy; enjoyed stargazing and had a star named after his wife, Lisa.

He always said the unexpected. "Don't let your meat loaf" was his favorite expression. Gary loved inappropriate jokes and pictures, and making people laugh, although he laughed louder.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Lisa; sons, Matthew, Ryan (Stephanie), Justin (Holly), Joshua (Kelsey), Joseph, and Gary “Jordy" (Maggie); grandchildren, Colson, Alvie, Austyn, Keegan, Aspen, Finley, Wrigley, Sierra, Madison, Eva, Zach, Thomas, Autumn, Mary, George, James, Emma, Jesse, Guinevere, and Clara; mother, Becky Cornell; siblings, Mark (Anita) Cornell, Jane Cornell (Kent Schmidt), Rita (James) Arnold, James (Lorena) Cornell, Angie (Cameron) Newbigging, and Wayne (Julie) Cornell; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his father; son, Jesse; and brother, George Gregory "Greg" Cornell. 

“You are our hero, Dad”