Fairbury – Gary L. Shols, 80, of Fairbury, passed away at 8:53 pm, June 20, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Champaign.

Cremation has been accorded.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 3, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chatsworth. Pastor Richard Likeness will be officiating. Burial will be in Chatsworth Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am, Friday, July 3, 2026, also at the church.

Memorials may be made to SELCAS.

Gary was born October 26, 1945, in Fairbury, the son of Donald and Phyllis (Lee) Shols. He married Brenda Mary Toogood on May 9, 1970, in England. She died October 4, 2000.

Surviving are his children, Steve (Sue) Shols of SC, Debra (Ken) Zoetewey of AR, Kevin (Sharon) Shols of England; grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Shelby, Rory Shols, Melanie Shols, Valleri Rogers and Jason Rogers; great-grandson, Aleczander Rogers; brother, Wayne (Kay) Shols of Chatsworth; nieces and nephews, Sarah (Dan) Kukuck, Becky (Brian) Miller, Dustin Shols, and Phil (Angie) Kratochvil; several great-nieces and nephews; and best friend, Steve Carey from Rehoboth Beach, DE.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Willy Shols.

Gary retired with the rank of MSgt after 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. Serving from 1965-1985. He served in the Vietnam War and two deployments to RAF Lakenheath in England.

He last worked and retired from Piedmont Airlines in Salsbury, MD as the customer service manager, US Airways Express.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chatsworth, American Legion Post #5, Rehoboth, DE, where he was the finance officer, and American Legion Post #613, Chatsworth.

Gary loved fishing, hunting, NASCAR and cherished his time with family.