Gary D. Lowe, age 81, of Carlyle, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. Born on March 20, 1945, in Carlyle to Henry and Amelia (Lee) Lowe.

On June 27, 1969, he married Bernadette "Bernie" Szczeblewski at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Beckemeyer. They shared many years of companionship and true love until Bernadette's passing on October 7, 2022.

Gary is lovingly remembered by his children: Candice "Candy" (Ben) Maxey of Carlyle, Heath (Molly) Lowe of Keyesport, Heidi (Brad) Schroeder of Germantown, and Lance (April) Lowe of Carlyle. He was a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren: Dylan (Parker), Jaydan, Cailey, Maddox, Dylan (Dakota), Tyler, Hunter, Austin (Kassidy), Olyvia, Craig, Easton, Tristin, Sophie, Cam, Landon, and Lorelai; and cherished great-grandfather to Ledger, Rylee, Cameron, Braylin, Landrie, and Raelynn.

He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Ann Hopper; numerous in-laws including Edna Lowe, Joyce (Craig) Huelsmann, Carla (Mike) Sanders, Cecilia (Jim) Szczeblewski, Lucy (Mark) Zartman, Rita Szczeblewski, Cynthia (Mike) Will, Sandra (Joseph) Koch, Rhonda (Ronnie) Becker, Kathryn (Roy) Bradford, Guy (Nettie) Szczeblewski, Jay (Dana) Szczeblewski, Clay (Tracy) Szczeblewski, and Linda Szczeblewski; as well as many nieces, nephews, and his close friend Larry Baker.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife Bernadette; his parents Henry and Amelia Lowe; his son Craig Lowe; his brothers Leroy, Roy, Lavern, Gene, and Bernard "Bummy" Lowe; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl & Rose Szczeblewski and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jerry Hopper, Nancy Lowe, Ernie Szczeblewski, Tom Szczeblewski, Penny, Roy Grayling, and Shaun Will; along with his close friend Claudia Baker.

Throughout his career, Gary contributed his skills to working at Isaak Auto Body, the GM Plant, and Simonton Hardwoods. He enjoyed working on cars even beyond his professional life, found pleasure in playing golf, and took delight in observing bears in the wild. Above all, he treasured spending time with his family, especially during family barbecues and relaxing by the pool. Some of his fondest memories were made antiquing with his wife, Bernadette, and close friends Larry and Claudia.

Funeral services for Gary and his brother, Bernard Lowe, will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle, with Pastor Scott Broughton officiating. The burials will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and again on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the time of services at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle.

Memorials in Gary's memory are suggested to his family and will be received at Nordike Funeral Home, 740 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231.