MCVAY, Gary Lee (1944-2023)

MCVAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/29/2023 at 11:39:44

Gary Lee McVay
(September 23, 1944 - February 16, 2023)

Funeral services for Gary Lee McVay, 78, of Martensdale, who passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2023 at Martensdale Community Church. Graveside services will be held 2:30 p.m., Friday, February 24 in the Westfield Cemetery, Grinnell, Iowa. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, February 23 at Martensdale Community Church.
Gary was born in El Paso, Texas, while his Dad was in the United States Army. Oldest of eight children, he helped his Mom take care of his siblings - babies on up. He grew up in Southwestern Iowa and Erie, Pennsylvania. He met his wife, Mary, while working in Des Moines, Iowa and they married July 3, 1969. They then moved briefly to El Segundo, California and then back to Iowa. Gary and Mary purchased their current home near Martensdale, Iowa, 49 years ago. Gary took great pride in his work and was self-employed as owner of G & M Turf Services for 30 years. He enjoyed being outdoors, working with animals, and raising and showing Standard Schnauzers for several years. He especially enjoyed fishing with his son Scott, day and night at local farm ponds. He had a servant heart for helping others, visiting with his customers, serving at Martensdale Community Church wherever needed, teasing and doing magic tricks with kids, and loving all of his grands and great grandkids. Being mechanically inclined, he could fix almost anything. He was also a man with more than 9 lives. Surviving a house fire with family in his younger years; fell through the ice on Lake Erie with cousin Jim; fell into a grain bin with another man while it was being filled and having the farmer get his tractor and pulling the bin over; he had 15 heart attacks and other heart related problems; several serious illnesses; plus other near catastrophic accidents. After suffering a brain bleed, he went to be with our Lord and Savior February 16th. It was Gary’s strong desire for anyone not knowing our Lord to become a born again believer! For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Gary is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Shelly (Bob) Nielson, Shane McVay, Seth McVay, Scott (Christina) McVay; grandchildren, Rebecca Lerfald, Rachel Driver, Joey McVay, Jaidyn McVay, Jayce McVay, Sage McVay, Tristen McVay, NeKayla McVay, Draven McVay, Sully McVay, Ta’Liyah McVay; great-grandchildren, Jaxxon, Imayah, Huntlee, Khayton, Katharine, Frances, Ivy and Jasper; siblings, Mike McVay, Midge Berens, Mary Ann (Dan) Rensche; and many nieces, nephews and other family and friends . He is preceded in death by parents, Boyd and Francis McVay; grandchild, Steven McVay; siblings, Greg McVay, Bob McVay, Cindy Rames, Tammy Storjohann. Memorial contributions may be made to the Martensdale Community Church in his name. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]