Gary L. Handel, 87 of Clinton, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at his home with his beloved daughters by his side. A funeral service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Clinton, on Friday, July 11th at 11:30 AM. Visitation will be from 10 AM until the service hour at the church. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service, then burial at Chadwick Cemetery, IL. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Gary was born in Freeport, IL on July 12, 1937, the son of Lloyd and Esther (Schreiner) Handel. He graduated from Chadwick High School in 1955 and attended both Western Illinois University and University of Illinois. Gary served in the US Army 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) and was a proud veteran and patriot. Gary married Susan Spencer on February 7, 1970. Susan died April 3, 1993. He later married Diane Friis and she died on September 12 2014.
Gary owned the International Harvester Dealership, Handel Implement, in Chadwick, Il. His Father Lloyd, and him ran this dealership for over 55 years. He was a member and past president of the Chadwick Commercial Club and served on the Chadwick Fire Department. He was a past Master of the Chadwick Masonic Lodge and was a 32 Degree Mason at the Scottish Rite in Freeport, Il. He was a Member of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, Il. He was a member of the Chadwick American Legion, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Clinton, IA and a member of the Northern Illinois Implement Dealership Association. Gary was a lifetime member of the Carroll County Historical Society and served 25 years as a Deputy Sherriff in Carroll County. After retirement, he enjoyed going to estate sales and auctions and ran a flea market outside of Thomson, IL. Gary was a devoted Christian and Patriot, enjoyed going on daily walks, especially to the lock and dam, and picked up shuffleboard over the many years he wintered in Mesa, AZ.
Gary is survived by his two daughters, Amy Handel-Lawson (Steve) of Davis, IL and Reba Corbin (Michael Vilmont) of Clinton; two grandsons, Kendall (Leslie Martinez) and Micah Corbin (Shandi Quigley); and special cousins, Darrell Clevidence, Leroy Handel and Arman Stover. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Susan; and a special cousin Neal Doden.
I only met him a few times at St. John. He was there for worship and greeted him every Sunday. May the Lord bless and keep him. He rests from his labors and awaits the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Go in peace. Peace to the family from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Gary was a great gentleman. I met him through Shuffleboard at venture out in Mesa. He was an awesome player and when I first went to VO I knew nothing about it. Over the years I learned a lot from him and really missed him the last few years. He was a good friend. He will be missed by us at VO. God Bless.