MACON, Ill. – Gary Clarence Colstrom, 80, of Macon, Ill., died Jan. 4, 2022, in Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, Ill. Gary was born Dec. 28, 1941, west of Osage City, Kan., the son of Clarence and Martha (Didier) Colstrom.

He was raised in the Old Rapp community and attended the one-room Rapp School for his first eight years. He graduated from Osage City Rural High School in 1959.

Gary married Martha Ruth Hemp, Feb, 19, 1983, in Long Grove, Ill.

He was involved in various occupations before moving with Martha to Libertyville, Ill., where the two of them formed the Hempstrom fire stopping insulation business. Although he had many business ventures, he never lost his love for the farm. He was most comfortable staying at his brother Larry’s, out in the country, helping out with the harvest or just sitting around enjoying a cup of coffee and working the daily crossword puzzle.

Gary was an active member of the Illiopolis Christian Church and a member of the Golden K Kiwanis, in Decatur.

He is survived by his wife, Martha, of Macon; brother, Larry (Jeannine) Colstrom , Osage City; and three sisters, Barbara Prost, Carbondale, Kan., Donna (Charlie) Martin, Osage City, and Debra (Mike) Bean, Osage City.

Gary was preceded in death by his daughter, Babette; parents, Clarence and Martha; and brother-in-law, Frank Prost.

Family members will have a remembrance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, Osage City. A service was held Jan. 10, at the First Christian Church, Illiopolis.

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church, Illiopolis, sent in care of Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel, 4020 N. Water St., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences can be left at dawson-wikoff.com.