Gary E. Towers, 87, of Freeburg, IL, born April 25, 1938, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Memorial East Hospital, Shiloh, IL.
Gary worked at Towers Fire Apparatus Company for 50 years and retired as President. He was a board member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, and a member of the Bi-County Fireman’s Association, former president of the Southern IL Arson Investigators, and Assistant Fire Chief of Freeburg. He was also a member of the Freeburg Rotary Club, the Freeburg Chamber of Commerce, former president of St. Joseph Catholic School board, the Smithton Hunting and Fishing Club, Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Gary was a United States Air Force veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Madelle, nee Boehmer, Towers; a brother, Dale Towers; and a sister in infancy.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bonnie, nee Grott, Towers, whom he married on February 15, 1958, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, IL; a son, Brad (Kim) Towers; two daughters, Connie (Rick) Trout and Tracy (Bob) Waller; seven grandchildren, Mathew (Amber) Trout, Jessica Trout, Paige (Damian) McMullin, Allyson (Dan) Schwab, Jamie (Richard) Tripp, Tori (Aaron) DeClercq, and Trevor (Kim) Waller; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Colton Trout, Sawyer and Sadie Tripp, Devlyn and Harper DeClercq, Helaina and Peter Schwab, Calvin Waller and one on the way, and Vincent McMullin; a brother-in-law, Dale Grott; and a special friend, Laura Carver.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or in the form of masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: A funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL, for a 10 am. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL, with Fr. Michael Arockiam officiating.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.
