Obituaries: Gannaway

Posted on April 26, 2016

Orville Gannaway

Orville E. Gannaway, 85, of Normal, passed away at 1:33 a.m. on April 25 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.

His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at College Avenue Baptist Church, 1320 E. College Avenue, Normal with Dr. Clark S. Killingsworth officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, at the church. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to College Avenue Baptist Church.

Orville was born on Aug. 31, 1930 in Normal, a son to Ivan and Florence Leascher Gannaway. He married Virginia “Mae” Gannaway on Jan. 12, 1951 in Normal. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2014.

Surviving are five children; Ron Gannaway of Normal, Dave (Nola) Gannaway of Mackinaw, Pam (Bruce) Naffziger of Bloomington, Julie Golliday of Bloomington and Becky (Doug) Gerig of Towanda; 20 Grandchildren; Randy (Racheal) Gannaway of Normal, Amy (Shaun) Champ of Normal, Tony Gannaway of Normal, Dan (Rachel) Gannaway of Morton, Joy (Tim) Gronewold of Morton, Jason Naffziger of Bloomington, Jamie (Eric) Outlaw of Bloomington, Jodi (Brett) Sides of Normal, Cody Golliday of Normal, Casie Golliday of Bloomington, Caleigh Golliday of Bloomington, Nicole (Mike) Hancock of Switzerland, Vanessa Gerig of Bloomington, Jaclynn (Josh) Guin of Downs, Jessica Gerig of Youngstown, Ohio, David Gerig of Urbana, Ginny Gerig, of Towanda, Katie Gerig of Towanda, Janelle Gerig of Towanda; and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Margaret Gannaway and Rachel Batterton; and a daughter in law, Karen Gannaway.

Orville had over 50 years in the general contracting business in the Bloomington Normal area, working up until March 2016. He enjoyed 63 years of marriage with his wife. He attended many of his children and grandchildren’s activities and loved spending time outdoors.

He was a faithful member of College Avenue Baptist Church in Normal. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Nascar fan.

Online condolences and memories of Orville may be left for the family at kiblerbradyrruestman.com.

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