Gary Tanner

Gary D. Tanner, 71, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Springfield, Ill., died Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Williamson County, Ill., to Willie and Rosie Hill Tanner.

He and Charlotte O'Keefe were married Jan. 2, 1960.

Gary took early retirement due to a medical condition in 1990 from ABF Trucking Co. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie No. 3775 in Cape and Teamsters Local 916. Gary was a loving father who enjoyed life and his family.

Survivors include wife Charlotte Tanner of Cape Girardeau; daughters Melody Jones (David) of Gulf Port, Miss., and Garia Hiett (Randy) of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Emily Hiett of St. Louis and Tanner Hiett of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

A celebration of life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A graveside service for family and friends will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Coal Bank Springs Cemetery in Dykersburg, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.