Gary Dean Streitmatter

Heaven is brighter and full of even more love since gaining Gary Streitmatter, a happy-go-lucky gentle spirit, a kind and loving soul. Gary passed away on November 4th while residing at Toulon Health Care Center. Everyone who knew Gary knew that he was a loving person who was always happy. He knew how to make his family laugh without saying a word. He was their foundation and they have always felt that they were beyond fortunate to have been blessed with him in their family. Gary loved to travel; was able to vacation from coast to coast and loved Hawaii. He loved attending church and loved music. He knew his favorite hymns by heart and was a true Lawrence Welk fan.

Gary was the 2nd of 4 children born May 3, 1951 to Merle Streitmatter and Norma Patricia “Pat” Streitmatter Brown. Gary was 72 years old when he passed far outliving life expectations for someone born with Downs Syndrome. Credit for his longevity and good health goes to his mom, Pat. She always felt that Gary was a gift from God and he was the center of her world. She went above and beyond to give him the best that life had to offer. She survives as well as his oldest sister Linda DeCamp of Henry, brother Alan (Linda) Streitmatter of Metamora and younger sister Amy (Greg) Milroy of Toulon. His father Merle and loving stepfather Boyd Brown preceded him in death. He is also survived by niece Francie (Doug) McCartney of Rome, nephews Scott (partner Lynda) DeCamp of Henry, Dave (MacKinsey) Milroy of Monmouth and Kyle Milroy of Peoria. He also had three great nieces, Erica and Alexis DeCamp of Peoria and Quinn Milroy of Monmouth and one great nephew Lincoln Milroy of Monmouth.

Special credit for his development also goes to Abilities Plus, a social services agency for those with disabilities that began in 1957. Gary’s parents, Merle and Pat were 2 of the 6 Founders of the agency. Gary was one of the original 9 children in 1957 and was the last survivor of that original group.

A special thank you goes out to the Toulon Health Care Center for the wonderful care that Gary received. He was well cared for and seemed very content to be a resident there.

Another special thank you also goes out to Compassus from Galesburg for Gary’s hospice care. They did an outstanding job keeping Gary comfortable and making his passing less difficult for him and for his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Toulon United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 11. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with funeral to follow at 2:00 p.m. Following the services everyone is welcome to join the family in the church basement for food and fellowship. Private burial will be held at a later date.                                                                                           

Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Abilities Plus.

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