Honor Pages Index

Honor Pages

MM1(SS) Gary Bierwirth • 1951 – 2017

bierwirthgary 20171227

Gary Bierwirth
January 4, 1951 – December 21, 2017
Morris, IL

Gary Bierwirth, age 66, of Morris and formerly of Bartonville and Peoria passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, December 21, 2017 at his home in Morris.

Born January 4, 1951 in Peoria, Illinois, Gary Dean was a son of Glen and Ellen (nee Clark) Bierwirth. He was raised and educated in Bartonville, Illinois and graduated from Limestone High School with the class of 1968. After graduation, Gary went on to honorably serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era and was stationed aboard a submarine. During his time in the Navy, Gary was afforded the opportunity to travel the world. Shortly after the end of his time in the service, Gary met Judy Arrowood and on August 27, 1976 Gary married Judy in Bartonville at the Bierwirth's residence.

After spending some time in the Peoria area, Gary and Judy relocated to Morris where Gary worked as a Control Operator for Dresden Generating Station for over twenty-five years until his retirement. In his free time he enjoyed fishing and playing harmonica. Gary always had a desire to learn and loved doing research. He will be remembered most for his incredible love for his wife, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Judy; daughters, Melissa (Joe) Verna and Amy Flatness of Diamond; grandchildren, Hanna and Cassidy Flatness of Diamond, Matthew, Melaina, Katelyn and Jacob; sisters, JoAnne Davis of Bartonville and Marlene (Jim) Eeten of San Jose, Illinois; brothers and sisters-in-law, Genie Mitchell and Pat Fugate of Bushnell, John Arrowood and Jack Arrowood of Peoria and Edith Wilson of Pekin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roger and Larry Bierwirth; mother-in-law, Mamie Barker; and father-in-law, John Arrowood.

Per Gary's wishes cremation rites were accorded.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Gary's memorial page online by logging onto: www.reevesfuneral.com

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815-942-2500)

Published in The Herald-News on Dec. 28, 2017

 

 

Eternal Patrol - Shipmate Profile 

 

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Our shipmate has passed on before us.

Whether by enemy action, the remorseless sea, or the ravages of time and age,
we must accept that God has called you to where we cannot yet follow.

We commend your body to the deep, and your soul to God Almighty.

May God grant you fair winds and following seas.

 

Godspeed, shipmate.

 

We will miss you...

 

 

 

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated. God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another...

"No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne

Meditation XVII
Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions
Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morieris.
Now this bell tolling softly for another, says to me, Thou must die.
1572 - 1631

 

 

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