Gary W. Counce (65) of Effingham

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Published on January 9 2022 7:05 am

Gary W. Counce, 65, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at his home.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Gary was born on March 20, 1956, in Herrin, IL, the son of Byron and Leona (Varnum) Counce. He married Angela Baker on May 5, 1998 in Effingham, IL. Gary was an over the road truck driver since he was 18 years old. He loved to fish the Muddy River, grill, listen to Johnny Cash, and tease his family and friends. He loved kids and while in the line at the grocery store he would ask the parents if he could buy them M&M’s just to see their smile. Gary never met a stranger.

Gary is survived by his wife, Angela Counce of Effingham; son, Matthew Counce of Effingham; siblings, Donna (Jeff) Hammond of Macedonia, Tom (Sheri) Counce of Carterville, and Rita McCall of Thompsonville; dog, Blue; parents-in-law, Arthur “Tuffy” and Ruth Baker of Sigel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lee (Brian) Willenborg of Shumway, Amy (Rich) Whitaker of Shumway, Scott Baker of Sigel, and Nick (Jennifer) Baker of Beecher City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law, Sara Baker.