Gary VanBuskirk of Odin

Gary VanBuskirk, 74, of Odin died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, at St. Mary's Memorial Hospital in Centralia.
He was born Feb. 17 , 1943, in Centralia, the son of Billy Charles and Ruth (Byers) VanBuskirk. He first married Clerica Lively April 13, 1968, and they later divorced in 1989. He then marred Esther Butts Sept. 1, 1990, in Centralia, and she survives in Odin.
In addition to his wife, Mr. VanBuskirk is survived by two sons, Bobby VanBuskirk and special friend Jennifer Newman of Alma and Kevin VanBuskirk of Du Quoin; a daughter, Michelle VanBuskirk of Richview; four grandchildren, Casey VanBuskirk, Carri Boswell, Cristen VanBuskirk and Brittany Tilley; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Lilly Seaward; an aunt and uncle, Merle Beckmeyer and husband Roland; and a cousin, Mark Beckmeyer and wife Debbie.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Clarica.
Mr. VanBuskirk worked at the Central City Burlington Northern rip yard from 1973 to 1980. He was also a carpenter in the maintenance department at St. Mary's Hospital from 1981 and retired from there in 2007. He was a member of the NRA and the Salem American Legion. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home in Salem with Doug
Meyer officiating.
Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.