McGLOTHLEN, Gary Michael 1938 - 2018

MCGLOTHLEN, HIATT, MYERS, LANE, SCANLAN, DOHERTY, COLGROVE, BALLARD, SAMUEL, WULFF, FLOWERS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Page 4

GARY M McGLOTHLEN
Ottumwa

Gary Michael McGLOTHLEN, 80, of Ottumwa, went to be with God on Saturday, September 29, 2018. He died at St. Luke's Living Center West, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (note: in Linn Co., IA).

Gary was born June 2, 1938 at home in Stockport, Iowa, to John Maurice and Constance (HIATT) McGLOTHLEN. The family moved to Ottumwa a few months later in 1938. Gary and his siblings attended Hedrick Elementary School and Washington Junior High. Gary worked for Williams Dairy and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1956.

After briefly attending Iowa State University, Gary moved with his sister to Cedar Rapids. They worked for Collins Radio at the Third Street office building downtown. A few years later, Gary returned to Ottumwa and founded Tri-Mac Communications, a mainly two-way radio sales and repair business, with his father and brother. He also worked for the City of Ottumwa survey crew.

On December 29, 1963, Gary married Barbara Sue MYERS of Fairfield, Iowa. They shared more than 30 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Elizabeth (Lisa) Ann and John Michael, who were raised in Jefferson County.

On June 14, 1965, Gary began a 33-year career at the Iowa Department of Public Safety Communications Center / Highway Patrol office of rural Fairfield. Gary was a communications dispatcher on various shifts until becoming a communications technician. Besides working for the "State Police Radio" and Tri-Mac, Gary helped set up various businesses with or for family members and friends.

Gary had a logical mind and enough knowledge combined with ingenuity to solve numerous technical, electrical, mechanical, construction and plumbing problems. He was an "imagineer" with many self-taught skills, but higher education was a priority for him and his family. Gary took many correspondence, training, college, and online classes. He also spent numerous hours tutoring math, proofreading papers and generally pitching in to help with most school or church fund-raising, publicity, building, construction or painting projects.

Always a good provider and devout Christian, Gary supported and served at several area churches. He was instrumental in helping to establish, license, and act as a consultant and technician for area Christian radio stations. He also contributed by attending and conducting many church and community improvement meetings.

Gary enjoyed traveling, and completed a semi-truck driving course, thinking he might drive more after retirement. He and his sister had started fixing up a former family home, the A.R. HIATT property in Stockport, as their intended home base. The land now houses the Van Buren County Freedom Rock.

At age 58, Gary retired to the misfortune of having a large lung tumor and spindle cell sarcoma diagnosis. He was expected to live only a few months. By 1999, he was dependent on a wheelchair and walker. Recent health complications confined Gary to his bed at home, at care centers, in hospitals, and then Hospice. He still remained good-natured and enjoyed Christian and talk radio, TV documentaries, travelogues, the news, history, cooking and car channels. He cited the old episodes of Bonanza as his recent favorites for depicting the simplicity and idealism of his childhood.

Gary lived his values and was especially generous and kind toward children and animals. His favorite role in life was being "Grandpa Mac" to Sarah, Emily and Ethan.

Gary will be long-remembered for his almost unmatched ability to multi-task, his reading, teaching and mentoring skills, his once-clear, deep radio voice, his calligraphy and sign-painting skills. Gary's sense of humor made him popular with almost everyone.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Uncle Frank "Hank" and Aunt Brooks (LANE) McGLOTHLEN of Stockport, Aunt Wynnee (HIATT) and Uncle Joe SCANLAN of Westchester, Ill., Barbara Sue (MYERS) McGLOTHLEN of Hermiston, Ore., and most recently, her cousin, Jerry L. DOHERTY of Council Bluffs, who had become a beloved family friend.

Left to cherish, honor and maintain Gary's legacy are his daughter, Elizabeth (and Mat) COLGROVE of Tigard, Ore., granddaughter Sarah BALLARD of Brooklyn, N.Y., son Jon (and Angela) McGLOTHLEN, and grandchildren Emily and Ethan, of Cedar Rapids. Also a sister, Maureen SAMUEL, brother, Melbern McGLOTHLEN and niece / caregiver, Kerry WULFF of Ottumwa. Cousins are Connie SCANLAN of Forest Park, Ill., Gail "Padget" (and Steve) FLOWERS of Whitewater, Wis., and Kevin Rick SCANLAN of Louisville, Ky.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 3 at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Reeves officiating. Visitation will start one hour prior to the service at 9 a.m. Graveside service and burial will follow at Spencer Cemetery near Morris Park, 3 miles northeast of Stockport in Van Buren County.

Memorial donations to the family will be used for the mailing of Gary's items to the Native American Heritage Association at 12085 Quaal Rd., Black Hawk, South Dakota 57718. His donations will be taken to Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations where they will be distributed to families in need.

Online condolences may be shared at www.rfh-ia.com

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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