Gerald "Gary" E. Wirth

Gerald E. “Gary” Wirth, 72, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Monday, August 8, 2022, at Walnut Creek in Evansville, Indiana, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born January 22, 1950, in Princeton, Indiana, the son of Gilbert and Lorena (Berberich) Wirth.  Gary graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1968 and two years later received an associate degree. On June 9, 1979, he married Alice Trapp at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

Gary was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He worked in mechanical maintenance for Duke Energy.  Gary loved spending time in the great outdoors, including hiking, hunting, camping, and riding his motorcycle.  He enjoyed waking up early to experience the sunrise and sound of nature coming alive and ending the day next to a cracking campfire, looking at the stars above. 

Gary’s greatest pride was his family.  He enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them, whether teaching his kids when they were younger to ride a bike or having his house full of family for the holidays.  Gary also loved traveling to visit his children and grandchildren.  His fondest memories were of vacations he took with his family, especially those to St. Lucia, where they climbed Gros Piton, and Alaska, where they witnessed the beauty of Glacier Bay National Park. 

Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his wife of 43 years, Alice; children, Michael and partner Mike of Atlanta, Georgia, Daniel and his wife Lisa of Ballwin, Missouri, Christopher and his wife Kathryn of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Hilary and her husband Mark of Collinsville, Illinois; grandchildren, Ethan, Ashton, Julien, Charlotte and Calvin; a brother, Donald and his wife Judy of Naples, Florida and a brother-in-law, Jack of Belleville, Illinois. 

Gary is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marlene.

A visitation will be held for family and friends Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church, 125 W. 5th Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  A rosary service will begin at 7:00 p.m. 

On Monday, August 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. there will be a funeral mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 4921 N 1400 Blvd., Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863 or to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. https://www.strayrescue.org/garywirth  Envelopes will also be available at the church and funeral home. 

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com 

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Gary’s family. 

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