Gary Leo Simon, Sr., 85, died peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. He was born April 6, 1938, in Green Bay to Leo J. and Virginia B. (Koebke) Simon. He was named after Gary Cooper who was his father and mother’s favorite movie star. He attended grade school at several area schools, which included Tank and St. Joseph’s, but he graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School in 1952 where he spent his 7th and 8th grade years. He then went on to high school starting at Central Catholic, and then continued at Washington Jr. High School and ended up graduating from Nicolet High School in West De Pere.
Shortly after graduating from high school, he continued his education in the field of electronics as a member of the U.S. Air Force in Biloxi, Mississippi. On February 22, 1958, he and the love of his life, Patricia May “Trish” Guyette, were married in the Keesler AFB chapel in Biloxi. From Biloxi, Mississippi they moved to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois where he worked as a radar and navigational aids repairman for three years until he was discharged.
He worked for Wisconsin Public Service as an electrician in the substation department for 38 years, retiring in 2000. After his retirement in 2000, he became active as a member of AARP volunteering as a tax preparer. He was also an active board member in the Tank Neighborhood Association for over 10 years and served as the president for many years. He exercised regularly at the Greater Green Bay YMCA where he also led a Stonecroft Bible study.
He was a member of Living Hope Church where he was a deacon, greeter, Bible study leader and Altar Worker. Gary was also a member of the Able Church in Green Bay and a counselor at Camp Daniel in Crivitz, WI. He was also a coordinator for the annual March for Jesus in Green Bay for several years.
Gary was a founding member of the Green Bay Ostomy Association serving as the first vice-president. He was a member of the Green Bay Area Genealogical Society for many years serving with his wife, Trish, as co-editors of the “Gems of Genealogy” the society’s newsletter After many long years of suffering Trish went home to be with Jesus on December 12, 2008.
On November 27, 2013, in a special Messianic ceremony on the beach at the “ISLE OF PALMS”, in South Carolina Gary and Sara LaValley Gillstrom were joined together in marriage by her brother-in-law, Pastor John Koneiczko. Both Gary and his wife Sara are MESSIANIC believers and have attended messianic services at Beth Messiah Congregation in Milwaukee and Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue in Hudson, WI.
He will be missed by his wife Sara; his children, Carla Simon, Teresa Simon, Gary Simon, Jr., Michael Simon, and Paul “Pete” Gillstrom; a daughter-in-law, Lori Simon; his grandchildren, Crystal Mitts, Jesse Simon, Nicholas Simon, Hunter Simon, William Goodwin, Christopher Goodwin, Rebecca Goodwin, Shawn Simon, Stacy Schmidt, Adam Simon, and Noel Gillstrom; great-grandchildren, Corrine Mitts, Cecilia Mitts, Harper Mitts, Melidee Goodwin, Lily Simon, Evan Simon, Adally Schmidt, Ellianna Rucinski, Gracie Rucinski, Kierna Goodwin, Krista Goodwin, Azalynn Goodwin, Eminence Grace Goodwin, Aubrea Colbert, Bella Stevens, Christopher “Mango” Simon, Bella Gillstrom, and Charlie Gillstrom. He is further survived by a sister, Nancy Siebers; a brother, David (Alys) Simon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Patricia; his son, Lon, and daughter Adrienne; his parents; a sister, Susan Fletcher; and brothers-in-law, Charles Walker and Jerome Siebers.
A homegoing service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at Living Hope Church, 1840 W. Mason Street, on Friday, July 7th with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Mike LeClaire presiding. Full Military Honors to follow after the service. Gary will be laid to rest next to his first wife Trish in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be given at www.prokowall.com. In lieu of flowers other expressions of sympathy would be appreciated.
Gary’s family extends a special word of thanks to the caring staff of Unity Hospice for the loving care they showed to Gary and his family.
Last Wednesday, our brother Gary passed into the World of Truth, as he finished his journey here on earth and went to make his home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While we Simon folks lament the loss, we are glad for his sake that he has escaped any further sufferings from the lung disease which beset him and that his soul has now been bound together in the bundle of life. As the apostles said, “We do not grieve as the world grieves” and know that your sympathies are with us along with your condolences, and you have our gratitude for those.
Carl Pauc is serving the family.